LSE graduate was sexually assaulted by a plumber during her exchange programme in India

'I told Indian court I had been sexually assaulted. They asked if I drank' and everyone laughed'

Protests have been held by LSE and SOAS students in support of a recent LSE graduate who was humiliated during legal proceedings in India.
Kaya Eldridge was sexually assaulted by a plumber during her 3 month-long exchange programme in Ahmedabad, which had left her with bruises and scratches. The accused had grabbed her “bottom, breast and waist when he came to fix her shower at her house”.
The defence lawyer, Sanjay Prakapati, had asked Eldridge, in open court proceedings, whether she had bathed, smoked or drank alcohol. Prakapati further questioned whether her stay in India was illegal. Eldridge’s lawyer has decided to launch contempt proceedings against Prakapati, who stated in an interview with Times Now that he had done everything for his client.

Eldridge commented to the Daily Mail, “…the way I was questioned and treated in court was equally demeaning…aggressive and relentless and seemed to be entirely aimed at breaking me as far as possible.”
“The treatment of Kaya Eldridge is disgusting, inhumane and sexist,“ stated LSESU General Secretary Aled Dilwyn Fisher. “I hope local and international pressure can be brought to ensure a fair and just outcome to her case.”
The Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court has considered Eldridge’s application for judicial review and asked for an inquiry to be conducted by the chief metropolitan magistrate.
A protest led by LSESU Womens’ Officer Jessie Robinson to the Indian High Commission was held last Monday to show support for Eldridge and raise awareness for the “unfair treatment of women in the courts”.

“Humiliation by courts of law is an attempt to remove women of their power. By coming together and protesting we reclaim some of this power and reverse some of this humiliation back upon the courts of law who all too often treat women in an unacceptable manner,” said Robinson.
The second protest organized by Eldridge’s flat mate, Sophie Kaufman and Jessie Bonham, took place on Monday. LSE and SOAS students had participated, handing in a petition to the Indian High Commission asking for “judges of the courts of India to maintain the decorum of their courtrooms and prevent the defence council in sexual assault cases from attacking the victim’s moral character in an attempt to suggest the attack was invited”.

Kaufman commented, “When the case came to trial she was made to face her attacker and humiliated by the defence lawyer as the judge looked on, unphased.”
“The media reports of this case are disturbing but no one at LSE has any detailed knowledge of these court proceedings so we can’t comment further,” the School’s official statement read.
“Sexism within courts of law should be openly condemned wherever it occurs. I’m sure Kaya Eldridge would have found it very encouraging to have received a supportive statement from the LSE, and I am saddened that we couldn’t give her this,” Robinson said in response to the School’s statement.