A court has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the gangrape of a minor, stressing the need for strict punishment. The judge stated, “Only the worst punishment will convey the message to the community,” highlighting the severity of the crime and its societal impact.
New Delhi: A Delhi court described gangrape as a “harrowing and distressing crime that inflicts a deeply traumatic and devastating experience on survivors.” The court sentenced three men to life imprisonment in a case involving the sexual assault of a minor.
Additional Sessions Judge Susheel Bala Dagar was hearing arguments on sentencing after convicting the men under Section 376 D (gangrape) and for aggravated sexual assault under the POCSO Act.
Additional Public Prosecutor Yogita Kaushik Dahiya argued that the convicts did not deserve leniency for their “abominable and reprehensible” actions in December 2017, during which they kidnapped and gangraped the victim.
In its order on April 8, the court stated,
“Gang penetrative sexual assault is a harrowing and distressing crime that strikes at the heart of human dignity and well-being. It is a profoundly traumatic experience that can have devastating and long-lasting effects on the victim.”
The life sentences were imposed under Section 376 D of the IPC, with the court emphasizing that such heinous acts warrant swift and severe consequences for the offenders to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
The judge remarked,
“Only the worst punishment will convey the intended message to the community and other people who share the same beliefs and who display tremendous depravity of mind.”
Expressing concern, the court noted that “the survivor would carry indelible emotional scars at a young age, and without proper support, the psychological aftermath of the crime could affect her for a lifetime.“
The order explained,
“The victim may experience intense distress triggered by reminders of the assault, internalise blame, feeling ashamed or responsible for the assault, even though she is not at fault. Further trust issues can strain intimate relationships, friendships, or family dynamics, sometimes leading to long-term difficulties in forming connections,”
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The court also awarded Rs 10.5 lakh as compensation to the survivor, emphasizing that no amount of money could erase her trauma.
The court stated,
“As a result of the said incident, not only the victim but her entire family members have been subjected to humiliation and insult by the society, and the incident has left grave impact on her mental, physical and emotional being for which she needs financial support,”
It added that financial assistance could help her begin to rebuild her life.