The tragic incident unfolded on October 4 in Jaynagar, located in South 24 Parganas, when the young victim was returning home from her tuition class. The accused, Mustakin Sardar, confronted the girl, committed the acts of violence against her, and ultimately took her life.
![[Kolkata 19-Year Old Girl's Rape-Murder] Justice Delivered In 61 Days: Bengal Court Sentenced Death Penalty To Accused](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Death-Penalty.jpg?resize=800%2C450&ssl=1)
KOLKATA: A West Bengal court has sentenced a 19-year-old man to death for the abduction, rape, and murder of a nine-year-old girl, just 61 days after the horrific crime occurred.
The tragic incident unfolded on October 4 in Jaynagar, located in South 24 Parganas, when the young victim was returning home from her tuition class. The accused, Mustakin Sardar, confronted the girl, committed the acts of violence against her, and ultimately took her life.
Following his arrest, Sardar confessed to the crime and led authorities to the location of the victim’s body, which was discovered that same evening. In response to the severity of the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was established to ensure a thorough and expedited inquiry.
Remarkably, the investigation was wrapped up in just 25 days, with a chargesheet submitted to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court by October 30. The trial commenced on November 4 and included testimonies from 36 witnesses.
The court finalized the proceedings on November 26.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee praised the ruling, highlighting that the conviction and death sentence delivered in under two months is unprecedented in the state’s judicial history.
“The accused in the case of the brutal rape and murder of a minor girl in Jaynagar on October 4 has been sentenced to death by the POCSO court at Baruipur, just 62 days after the horrific incident. This expeditious conviction and capital punishment is a first in West Bengal. I commend the state police and all those involved in the prosecution for this remarkable achievement. Our government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against offenses targeting women and will ensure justice is never delayed or denied,”
she detailed in a statement on X.
State prosecutor Bivas Chatterjee recognized the collaborative efforts of the judiciary, law enforcement, and prosecution that led to this swift justice.
“Justice has been served in just 61 days thanks to the proactive measures of the prosecution and the engagement of all relevant parties. Scientific and physical evidence was effectively utilized, and hearings extended late into the night to ensure timely justice,”
he remarked.
The brutal crime sparked widespread outrage across West Bengal, particularly in light of ongoing protests related to another high-profile case, the RG Kar rape and murder incident. The victim’s family had publicly called for the death penalty for Sardar.
On Thursday, the POCSO court found Mustakin Sardar guilty, and on Friday, Justice Subrata Chatterjee imposed the death sentence.
Judge Chatterjee sentenced the accused to death based on multiple legal provisions, including Section 103 and Section 65(ii) of the BNS Act, and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. In addition to the death penalty, a life sentence and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 140(i) of the BNS Act were imposed, alongside seven years of imprisonment with an additional Rs 5,000 fine under Section 238 of the same act.
Lastly, the court mandated that Rs 10 lakh be awarded to the family of the minor victim as compensation.
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