Ranchi: A special Pocso court on Wednesday convicted three persons in the gang rape of a 13-year-old girl in Bero last year and handed out exemplary punishment in a state where atrocities against minors take place with chilling regularity.
Additional judicial commissioner Diwakar Pandey sentenced Kapil Munda, Ishwar Munda and Lagru Munda, aged between 21 and 26 years, to rigorous imprisonment for 25 years. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 60,000 on each, failing which they will have to serve an additional four years in jail.
Special public prosecutor A.K. Roy said the special court held the trio guilty under Section 376D (gang rape) and 366 (kidnapping) of the IPC, besides relevant sections of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
During the fast-paced hearing, the prosecution produced seven witnesses along with medical report of the survivor and forensic report of the stained clothes of the accused.
While pronouncing its verdict, the court directed the Ranchi district legal services authority to ensure proper rehabilitation of the girl and regular counselling.
The assault place on the night of May 9, 2017, at Joda Akhra village under Bero thana area, around 40km from the capital. The girl was attending a wedding at a neighbour's place and her tormentors were among the guests.
Around 11pm, when the celebrations got over and everyone started leaving the venue, the youths whisked the girl away to a nearby field. They took turns to rape her and threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the assault.
The gutsy teen, nevertheless, confided in her family members who lodged an FIR at Bero thana the next day. Police acted promptly and nabbed the trio within 48 hours. The chargesheet was filed by June 30 last year to set the ball rolling for a speedy trial, which ultimately ended in the landmark judgment.
Sanjay Mishra, the treasurer of National Action and Co-ordinating Group against Violence against Women and Children, called it a landmark judgment in a Pocso case. "The court has shown compassion and understanding while delivering the judgment in favour of a tormented child. Zero tolerance is the only way to deal with such crimes," he said.
This is the second time in a year that a Ranchi court has awarded harsh punishment under the Pocso Act.
In February, the court of additional judicial commissioner Shivpal Singh had awarded death penalty to one Gandhi Oraon for raping and killing an eight-year-old girl in Ranchi in March 2014.
What should be the quantum of punishment for heinous crimes against children? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
