In a cramped one-room home in northwest Delhi, Rakhi and Madhav have been waiting for justice for eight years. Their daughter Pia was raped at eight months old by a relative, Suraj, in January 2018. The case sparked national outrage and international media coverage, but the trial drags on.

Pia suffered severe perineal injuries and underwent multiple surgeries. She was initially treated at Kalavati Saran Children's Hospital and later transferred to AIIMS on a Supreme Court order. The family received some compensation, but the legal process has been slow and exhausting.

Rakhi, who worked as a domestic help, quit her job to care for her daughters and attend court hearings. The family faces pressure from relatives to drop the case. Madhav, a construction worker, uses the eCourts app to track proceedings, but the system is often confusing.

The trial under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act requires a child-friendly atmosphere, limiting Suraj's court appearances. However, the family feels abandoned as public attention has faded. They now struggle with daily life and the emotional toll of the case.

Rakhi hopes to start a YouTube channel to raise awareness about child sexual abuse. Despite the hardships, she remains determined: 'I will not give up until justice is done.' The case highlights the failures of India's justice system in handling crimes against children.

Source: www.aljazeera.com