UK rape victim hails court ruling

The woman has been campaigning for the return of her rapist to jail

A British woman whose rapist was released on bail three months into his sentence has hailed the Indian Supreme Court's intervention in the case.

Parbat Singh raped the woman, who cannot be named, at his guesthouse in Udaipur, northern India, in 2007.

He was convicted and sentenced to 21 years in prison but released by police in July 2008 when he lodged an appeal.

The Supreme Court ordered in January that he be returned to jail and have now repeated that order.

The court has also criticised the police for their failure to carry out its previous ruling on the case.

Singh was released on bail, even though rape defendants are not allowed bail under Indian law.

Every day is an abject struggle and misery if I'm honest British rape victim

He was given his sentence for rape and forced entry after a trial in April, and fined 25,000 rupees ($625; £312).

Singh's victim, who is a freelance journalist from London, said the court's latest order was a "breakthrough".

She added: "The bench... effectively said that something dirty was going on here and the judge said that the state and police must be pocketing, as in bribery.

"To me that's not a surprise, it's pretty obvious.

"My frustration is that if the police knew where he was, why didn't they pick him up?

"They need to do what they are supposed to do and bring him in. He's dangerous. There's no getting away from that.

"I just want him back inside so I can get some peace."

The woman estimates she has spent at least £75,000 on her legal battle and travelling to and from India for court hearings.

"Every day is an abject struggle and misery if I'm honest," she said.

"I just wish this could be over so I didn't have to think about it every waking moment. Then I can live. At the moment I'm just existing.

"I have a life in tatters, really."