the Supreme Court dismissed both appeals filed by the state, as well as the convicts. A bench comprising Justice N. Santosh Hegde and Justice BP Singh said, "Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that the ends of justice would be met if the sentence is reduced to ten years rigorous imprisonment." Victims After the rape, most victims experienced harassment and threats, with no support from society or their families. According to police investigations, about 6 victims allegedly committed suicide. Ajmer Mahila Samooh, who tried to take up the victim's cause, withdrew after receiving threats. Small-time tabloids were quite a sensation in Ajmer at that time. Many victims were even allegedly blackmailed further by these tabloids and local papers. They had access to the explicit images of the girls, and the owners and publishers sought money from the families of the girls to keep them hidden. With every surrendering, sentencing, or any other development in the case (even after 30 years since the incident), the survivors had to return to court, causing them to relive the horror over and over. Aftermath The incident shocked the entire country. People took to the streets to protest and communal tension grew. A three-day bandh was observed and much subsequent news of the widespread exploitation and blackmail started coming in. The police were also criticized for not acting even after having information about the ongoing sexual abuse. It had also stalled the case because the local politicians warned action against the accused would lead to massive community tension. Musabbir Hussain, Joint Secretary of the Anjuman Committee which oversees the Ajmer Dargah, told Indian Express, "It’s a case that nobody in Ajmer wants to talk about because of the nature of the crime. It’s a blot on our city’s history." See also Rape in India List of scandals in India Love jihad Religious persecution References Sources Gang rape in India Violence against women in India Scandals in India Corruption in India Sex scandals Crime in Rajasthan 1992 crimes in India History of Ajmer Incidents of violence against girls