Uber rape accused: Victim had the chance to escape, chose not to
Former Uber cab driver Shiv Kumar Yadav, who is accused of raping a 25-year-old woman, claimed before a Delhi court on Saturday that the young woman had the opportunity to escape from the car but did not as the intercourse between them on December 5 was consensual.
Former Uber cab driver Shiv Kumar Yadav, who is accused of raping a 25-year-old woman, claimed before a Delhi court on Saturday that the young woman had the opportunity to escape from the car but did not as the intercourse between them on December 5 was consensual.
On the fourth day of the trial, being conducted in-camera before additional sessions Judge Kaveri Baweja, Yadav’s counsel asked the young woman why she did not open the car and escape when she had the chance. He further tried to save his client by suggesting that the events of the fateful night never took place.
Calm and collected, the woman said she never had the chance to escape as Yadav had overpowered her and thereafter he beat her before raping her, court sources said, adding that she reiterated that she screamed for help, but to no avail.
The woman, the complainant and hence the first prosecution witness in the case, has now completed her testimony before the court. The matter will be heard on Monday, when prosecution will bring five witnesses – including three medical experts who treated the woman after the incident.
She came to court burqa clad, and was seen standing in court prior to the proceedings commencing only a few feet away from Yadav, who was flanked by two police officers.
Her testimony has now been recorded, and cross-examination is complete. On Monday prosecution is likely to call five further witnesses including three medical experts who treated the survivor after the incident.
The incident allegedly occurred on December 5, when the young woman was on her way home from her office in Gurgaon. Yadav, who had fled the city, was arrested two days later from Mathura.