After receiving a written complaint from Asha Devi, the mother of brutal gangrape and murder victim ‘Nirbhaya’, the Delhi Commission of Woman (DCW) has issued a notice to Election Commission of India for using picture of convict as a brand ambassador of Punjab State Election Commission on Monday.

As per the information shared by DCW,  Asha Devi met the chairperson Swati Maliwal and submitted her plaint that a picture is being circulated on social media wherein the photograph of one of the convict -’Mukesh’ in the ‘Nirbhaya’ case was displayed as a brand ambassador on official hoardings of Punjab State Election Commission.

“The Delhi Commission for Women is in receipt of a representation from the mother of Nirbhaya. She has informed the Commission that a picture is being circulated on social media wherein the photograph of a convict in the ‘Nirbhaya’ case was displayed on official hoardings of Punjab State Election Commission. Shockingly, the convict has been described as a brand ambassador of the Election Commission,” said DCW in a statement.

Following which the DCW chief wrote a letter to the Election Commission of India seeking details of the officials responsible for the act and any steps taken by the commission on the matter by Saturday i.e, 27th July.

“This is a matter of great shame as it is a clear incident of glorification of a rape convict. Indeed, the matter has caused great pain and hurt not only to the parents of the victim but to all victims of sexual violence.

The Commission views this as an extremely serious matter and strict action should be taken against those responsible for this act. In the light of the above, please provide the following information to the Commission: Details of official(s) responsible for the above-mentioned act and details of action taken against him and the steps taken by the Election Commission to ensure such incidents don’t occur in the future, “ read the letter undersigned by the Maliwal.

“I am deeply disturbed at this state of affairs. Instead of ensuring that the rape convict is given death penalty as ordered by the Supreme Court, the government agencies are glorifying his act! The convict whose photo has been displayed on advertising boards by the Punjab EC was one of the main accused in the December 2012 gang rape case.

In fact many times he has been heard stating on record that women invite rape. Is he a model citizen that his photo should be publicised by the Punjab Election Commission! Nirbhaya’s mother has met me today and her pain is indescribable.

How can the system be so insensitive? Election Commission must ensure that the strongest action is taken against those officers responsible for this shameless act,” said DCW chief.