The six Indian men accused of raping a Swiss tourist in India was sentenced for life imprisonment yesterday. According to the public prosecutor, each of the accused were convicted with rape.
"We are satisfied with the judgement," said Rajendra Tiwari, a public prosecutor in central India. The ruling was announced by a special court, according to local media.
Prior to reports of the Swiss woman's rape, news broke about a 23 year old student who was raped inside a bus in Delhi, gaining worldwide shock and ire. The legal system of the country became the topic of debates and worldwide scrutiny. Many believe that the country has done no efforts to curb abuse of women.
According to a report by the New York Times, tourism continues to decline after the series of reports which put India's civil rights policies in the limelight.
"India's image is spoiled when incidents like this happen," said a local photographer who earns US$2 per snap on Mumbai. Now, he is worried if he can make the same money as he used to. "It's unfortunate, and it isn't good for business," he said.
The country's Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry reported a massive 35% decline in female tourist arrivals in the past three months of 2013.
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