Aruna Shanbaug, former nurse of the King Edward Memorial (KEM) hospital, became a landmark case in medical history after being one of the few who survived a total of 42 years in a vegetative state. Walmiki, a former ward boy at the same hospital, sexually assaulted and strangled her with a dog chain on November 27, 1973.
When word spread about Sohanlal Bhartha Walmiki, the prime accused in the Aruna Shanbaug sexual assault case, being located, the nursing staff said that if not the law, he would be severely punished at the hands of God, saying that the pain he meted out to Aruna was indescribable.
Aruna Shanbaug, former nurse of the King Edward Memorial (KEM) hospital, became a landmark case in medical history after being one of the few who survived a total of 42 years in a vegetative state. Walmiki, a former ward boy at the same hospital, sexually assaulted and strangled her with a dog chain on November 27, 1973. The asphyxiation brought on by the strangling cut off the oxygen supply to her brain, fating her to live as a vegetable and eventually pass away at the age of 67.
People have been speculating about Walmiki's whereabouts since her death on May 19. Even as the police remain clueless about Aruna's assailant, a local newspaper in Maharashtra claims to have traced him to a village in Uttar Pradesh, where he is working as a labourer. He fails to recall the string of events from the fateful day.
"We do not know how the law will work now that we know he is alive. But our colleague is no more and God will avenge her death. We must make our law more stringent towards men who commit such crimes," said Trupti Loke, staff nurse, KEM hospital.
Sohanlal had been caught and convicted. He served two seven-year sentences concurrently for assault and robbery, but not for rape, molestation, or the alleged 'unnatural sexual offence.'
Namrata Kasabe, another nurse, said, "What can we say now? Aruna was like our family. The assailant should have been subject to harsh punished at that time only. What is the point of reacting after her death? For us, this topic is over, but the government must seriously consider making the law more rigorous for crimes against women."
Mumbai Police said that they will seek legal advice on their further course of action.
"Prima facie it seems that this case may not have attracted any fresh sections as Aruna died of pneumonia," said Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police, in response to if they would re-open the case post the victim's death. He further said that they would seek legal opinion first.
Arundhati Vellal, Matron, KEM hospital, said, "The Government and police should look into this matter and serve him with the maximum punishment possible."
(inputs from PTI)
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