Transforming Victims into Survivors
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Majlis
Nov 10, 2023, 12:42:20 AM11/10/23
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Dear Friends
On 14th April, 2017 Amravati Harijan was set ablaze by a young boy as she had earlier stood up to him for sexually harassing her 17-year-old daughter. Two weeks later, despite all best efforts, she succumbed to her injuries. A two year old toddler also died in the incident. Amravati was survived by three children - Roshni, Abhishek and Aditya who were all minors then.
Today nearly six and a half years later the Sessions court convicted the accused and sentenced him to death calling it a ‘cold blooded, rarest of rare case’.
On 14th April, 2017 Amravati Harijan was set ablaze by a young boy as she had earlier stood up to him for sexually harassing her 17-year-old daughter. Two weeks later, despite all best efforts, she succumbed to her injuries. A two year old toddler also died in the incident. Amravati was survived by three children - Roshni, Abhishek and Aditya who were all minors then.
Today nearly six and a half years later the Sessions court convicted the accused and sentenced him to death calling it a ‘cold blooded, rarest of rare case’.
Majlis has been involved with the case since the start and we promised the family both legal and social support. We followed up the case through the investigation and trial.
Transforming victims to survivors is a slow and tedious process. The first step was to clear the humongous hospital bills. But since then in the past 6 years it has been small and big things - guiding them about education and career options, helping them enrol in courses, being with them during sickness, taking them out during diwali, consoling them when their father passed away due to alcoholism, supporting them when there small tenement was going under redevelopment, standing up to relatives and neighbours who wanted her to forgive the accused. The journey has been steep but satisfying.
Transforming victims to survivors is a slow and tedious process. The first step was to clear the humongous hospital bills. But since then in the past 6 years it has been small and big things - guiding them about education and career options, helping them enrol in courses, being with them during sickness, taking them out during diwali, consoling them when their father passed away due to alcoholism, supporting them when there small tenement was going under redevelopment, standing up to relatives and neighbours who wanted her to forgive the accused. The journey has been steep but satisfying.
Today Roshni (24) has completed her BCom and has done a course in DFA and MSCIT. We helped her prepare for the Junior Associate all-India competitive exams but she did not qualify. Later she underwent training in Banking Financial Services and Insurance and after completion she did a number of internships. Initially the travel was intimidating and we had to keep her motivated. Finally Roshni secured an internship in an Audit firm she was found to be responsible, sincere and willing to learn. Her team-work and communication skills were particularly appreciated. She had been shortlisted for a job interview with multinational but could not secure a position. Currently Roshni is giving tuitions to children in her area while she manages the home and her siblings. We are trying to help her secure an office job.
Abhishek (21) is pursuing a degree in commerce. He was struggling with his academics and had to reappear for his 12th std. He wanted to join the ship but the career counsellor advised him to complete his graduation first.
Aditya (16) has completed his 10th Std and has enrolled in college.
In 2017 I had written "Our collective response will determine whether these children bounce back from this darkest of events and emerge as sensitive responsible human beings or just fall by the wayside of society's margins." I think we have collectively delivered! I take this opportunity to thank each one of you who have supported us in this journey.
Warm regards
Audrey Dmello
Director
Majlis
10th November 2023
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Dear Friends
Thank you for your kind contribution towards the medical treatment of Ms Amravati Harijan who was battling 95% burn injuries at Massina Hospital. Your action restored our faith in humanity at a time we were struggling to provide her the required attention and care.
Despite the best efforts of the doctors and Amravati's fighting spirit, she finally succumbed to her injuries early this morning. Your contribution helped her to fight the good fight.
Amravati is survived by three children - Roshni (18), Abhishek (15 ) and Aditya (10 ). The responsibility of looking after the younger siblings has now fallen squarely on Roshni. We know she will step up to the challenge. In fact, the past few weeks this young girl has been in the forefront of trying to save her mother's life, scrambling to generate funds for treatment and keeping a vigil by her mother's bed till the last moment.
We are resolved to help Roshni in every way we can. So, once the hospital bills are cleared and funeral expenses are paid off, we intend to use the remaining funds towards the rehabilitation of the children, their education and survival. Our collective response will determine whether these children bounce back from this darkest of events and emerge as sensitive responsible human beings or just fall by the wayside of society's margins.
We will keep you updated on their progress. In the meantime, do keep them in your prayers.
Thank you and best regards
Audrey D'mello
Programme Director
28th April, 2017
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31-yr-old sentenced to death for setting ablaze woman & toddler
TNN | Nov 9, 2023, 06.57 AM IST
MUMBAI: Calling it a dastardly act and the conduct incorrigible, a sessions court on Tuesday convicted and sentenced a 31-year-old man to death for setting ablaze a 46-year-old woman and her two-year-old neighbour in 2017. The accused had attacked the woman as she had earlier stood up to him for sexually harassing her 17-year-old daughter. The toddler and her mother, who was near the woman at the time of the attack, were tragically caught in the crime. The toddler's mother survived and deposed as an eyewitness.
In the detailed judgement copy made available on Wednesday, principal judge A Subramaniam said, "The manner of causing death and pouring inflammable material on the victims, and cold-bloodedly lighting them up which included an old helpless lady and a small child of a couple of years, shows the dastardly act and classifies it as the rarest of rare cases," the court said.
The accused had come to attack the woman and in the bargain also ended up setting ablaze the toddler and her mother. The deceased woman sustained 94% burns and the toddler 60%. The accused was also sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to murder the toddler's mother who too suffered severe burns.
Sentencing the accused, the judge said looking at his "incorrigible conduct", there was every possibility that he would create a continuing threat to society. "After considering all attending circumstances, I am satisfied that there is no scope for reformation and rehabilitation of the accused and his reintegration into society is impossible and impracticable," the judge said.
"Having regard to the nature and circumstances of the crime as well as all the attending circumstances, the only punishment that the accused deserves is the death penalty for each death caused by him and a harsher sentence for the attempt on life," the judge said. The death sentence will have to be confirmed by the Bombay high court.
The judge said the accused made no attempt to save the child who had nothing to do with the offence. "He has no remorse. It is likely that he may continue the act with the daughter... Society abhors such crimes which shocks the conscience of the society and always attracts intense and extreme indignation of the community. R-R (rarest of rare) test is fully satisfied against the accused...," the judge said.
The deceased woman's dying declaration was among the evidence considered by the judge. She told the police that when she was sitting with the toddler and her mother outside the house and making bracelets on April 14, 2017, the accused arrived and poured inflammable liquid on her. She said it also fell on the toddler and her mother and they got up. The accused then used a lighter and set them ablaze.
The accused in his defence said the deceased and others called him "hijra", hence he killed her. He said while he ignored it the first time, the second time he flashed them. He also claimed he was mentally unfit to face trial. Medical tests proved otherwise though.
‘Cold blooded, rarest of rare case’: Death penalty to man who killed woman, 2-yr old girl : https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/death-penalty-man-set-two-ablaze-mumbai-2017-9018606/?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=WhatsappShare
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