There is something very poignant and thought-provoking in what Shwetambri Sharma, the only female member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for Kathua Rap case told The Quint. Apart from the usual tale of local police being comprised by bribes and influence, Shwetambari also mentioned the pressure she faced due to her caste and religious identity.
Needless to say, it is for the courts of law to judge the merit of the case, but the fact that many lawyers (supposedly the guardians of the law and officers of the court) who prevented the filing of the chargesheet – along with the activists of Hindu Ekta Manch – were vociferously defended by ministers, politicians, journalists, and even some intellectuals of a certain hue, does indicate something fishy.
In all likelihood, the minders and the mentors of the accused must have also approached other members of the SIT; but in case of Shwetambari Sharma they must have assessed that being a Brahmin, she would be more amenable to caste appeal and being a woman, more vulnerable to religious sentiment.