Maid in misery with no income, no aid

While actor Shiney Ahuja's family was relieved that he was granted bail yesterday, the maid is still waiting for her share of justice.

While actor Shiney Ahuja's family was relieved that he was granted bail yesterday, the maid is still waiting for her share of justice.

Five days after the June 14 incident, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan promised compensation, in the form of financial and rehabilitation, from the state government to the alleged rape victim.

Three months on, the maid Smita Jadhav (name changed), who is now living with her family in a small village 120 km to the southeast of Mumbai, has not heard from the state.

Waitng For Justice: Shiney's domestic help has not recieved any compensation as promised by CM Ashok Chavan on June 19.

Though the Jadhavs were not available for comment, neighbours say that they are finding it difficult to make ends meet, as the family largely depended on the income of Smita, who has returned home after the incident.

Smita's father Suresh Jadhav (60), who is now the sole breadwinner of the family, is working with a local NCP leader to support his four daughters and a son.

False hope

Harishchandra Vajantri, the NCP leader, said, "The government has not delivered the promises it made to this poor family.
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If they had no intentions of helping out the Jadhavs, why did they give them false hope?"

The villagers, though reluctant to go on record, were clearly agitated that Shiney has been given bail, but little has been done to help Smita.

"The family is waiting for the compensation, which is their right, but the CM has done nothing," said a villager.

According to the neighbours, though Smita is still shattered after the rape and is reluctant to return to Mumbai, her family is hoping she changes her mind.u00a0

"Her father is hopeful that his daughter will return to Mumbai, as this will take the burden off his shoulders," added an acquaintance.

The Other Side

At a press conference on June 19, when CM Ashok Chavan announced a compensation package for the rape victim, National Commission for Women Chairperson Girija Vyas, also present at the conference, said that Shiney's case would be heard in a fast track court to enable the victim to get justice quickly.

However, when contacted by this reporter yesterday she backtracked on her statement. "I don't have any clue what compensation was promised to the maid in this case."