Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 30: Presiding Officer Fast Track Court Haq Nawaz Zargar today awarded 17 years rigorous imprisonment to Surinder Kumar for kidnapping and committing rape with a minor girl on June 28, 2014.
After hearing APP Surekha Bhat for the State, the Presiding Officer observed, “rape not only is abominable and ghastly but it is also inhuman and barbaric. The victim is allegedly subjected to unwanted physical contact by a perverted male who cannot control his basic instincts and turns into an animal to satisfy his physical desires”.
With these observations, court awarded 17 years rigorous imprisonment to Surinder Kumar, son of Jagdish Raj of Raharian in Samba district.
“The victim has to face and undergo a lot of agony and also face humiliation. In terms of the Jammu & Kashmir “Victim Compensation Scheme”, under Section (1) of Section 545 of CrPC 2013 has been made applicable to the State of J&K vide Notification dated 23.04.2013 under SRO 229 and as per Schedule-1 to the Notification, SRO-394 dated 09.09.2013, different amounts have been mentioned for financial help”, the court said.
“The Supreme Court has recognized the need for awarding compensation to such victims. So keeping in view the poor status of the family of victim which must have under gone mental trauma due to barbaric act of rape upon her by the convict, compensations needs to be given to her”, Presiding Officer said, adding “though the compensation given to her would not bring her out of the trauma which she suffered at the time of commission of offence and thereafter, but it may provide her a little solace”.
“In my view, a compensation of Rs 3 lakh will be a just and reasonable amount for providing financial assistance to the victim, which may be paid within a period of one month after the expiry of appeal time”, the Presiding Officer directed.
Follow our WhatsApp channel