Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 17: Principal Sessions Judge Udhampur A K Koul today awarded rigorous life imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000 to Bodh Raj, son of Milapu of village Dhanori for committing rape with her one year old grand-daughter.
The shameful incident took place on March 11, 2012 at the residence of accused, maternal grand-father of the victim. A case in this regard was registered at Police Station Udhampur on the written complaint of victim’s father and after completion of investigation challan was presented in the court of law.
After hearing Public Prosecutor Naveent Gupta for the State whereas Advocate Sumiti Sharma for the accused, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “there is a devastating rise in the cases of sexual assault through the length and breadth of the country. We have seen uproar in the society against the rapists and the voice of the society is loud and clear that the rapists deserve death and nothing less than that”, adding “laws are meant for welfare of the society and if a slight leniency is shown against those who perpetrate the heinous crime like rape against hapless women and children it would be a travesty of law”.
“There has to be an end or at least a check on the nefarious elements of the society who are hell-bent to commit such grave crimes. Child rape cases indicate perverse lust for sex where even innocent children are not spared in pursuit of sexual pleasure. Such crimes are against the humanity. In such cases responsibility on the courts is more onerous so as to provide proper legal protection to the women and children who are vulnerable”, the Court said.
“An unfortunate aspect in our country is that a girl child is very vulnerable and one of the prominent ways of her exploitation is rape besides other modes of sexual abuse. The courts have to sensitize themselves while dealing with such cases more particularly relating to child rape”, Principal Sessions Judge said.
“The crime committed by the accused being heinous, inhuman and brutal, needs to be punished commensurately so that penal law is not rendered sterile”, the court said and convicted the accused. Accordingly, life imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000 was awarded to the accused.
In default of payment of fine, he will undergo further imprisonment for six months, the court said and ordered that case fine should be submitted to High Court through Registrar Judicial and the sentence imposed on accused should remain in abeyance till it is confirmed by the High Court.
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