An MBA Student can rape? NDTV is "shocked"

The rape of a German student in Alwar is in the news only because the victim is white and the accused is the son of a senior police officer in Orissa. NDTV, of course, cannot believe that an MBA student can be a rapist.

BY A CORRESPONDENT

3 April 2006
MUMBAI, INDIA

Bitty Mohanty, who was arrested on rape charges filed against him by a German national last week, has been denied bail by a court in Alwar, Rajasthan. The accused is an MBA student at Delhi's Indian Institute of Labour Management, and was staying in the same hotel as the German student in Alwar the night of the rape. The court has ordered Mohanty to remain in custody till April 4.

The case is getting its share of media attention mostly because the victim is once again (after Jessica Lall) of another country. In addition, the accused this time is the son of an Orissa DGP. And finally, as an NDTV report was at pains to explain, the case is "shocking" because the accused does not fit into the 'rapist' profile, since he is enrolled in a "prestigious" institute. (Would the report find the rape less "shocking" if the rapist was a taxi-driver perhaps?)

The two had been visiting Alwar and Sariska on the 18th and had checked into the same hotel into separate rooms. On the night of the 20th, Bittu Mohanty had allegedly forcibly kept her in his room and then raped her. He is also alleged to have been inebriated throughout the incident. They left for Delhi on the same train in the morning, without any police complaint being filed. Apparently he also snatched her mobile phone, but returned it next morning.

The lady messaged a friend in Delhi, who contacted the German embassy. Alwar SP Rajesh Ari said he received an SMS from her family, and took action by stopping the train to Delhi and arresting Mohanty.

MeanwhileBittu , Mohanty's relatives have been sending SMS text messages to the lady, who says she is scared and fears for her life (according to another NDTV report). The messages however seem to fear more for Mohanty's life, and repeatedly request her to talk to them who 'understand her plight.' The friend whom the German lady had contacted after the rape has backtracked and decided not to testify against Mohanty. But the lady is said to be determined to fight and not let Mohanty get away from the consequences of his actions.

Is this a case of a 'pardonable' offence, committed in an inebriated state by an otherwise 'good' boy? Or is this another instance of a woman pressured to remain silent by a community that does not want to see a possible death sentence as the answer to rape? Either way, let's not forget that the ingredients that make a story are not found in a majority of rapes in India. No white woman, no German Embassy, no helpful police, and certainly no one who can afford to fight for justice through, as NDTV would have it, sheer 'determination.'