Man gets 14-yr jail for raping minor girl

New Delhi, March 18

A 24-year-old man has been sent behind bars for 14 years for kidnapping and raping an 11-year-old girl, with a Delhi court observing he "ravished" a "helpless and naive" girl only to satisfy his lust.

The court, while awarding the sentence, also empathised with the victim and her family over delay in lodging FIR, saying "fear of society and social stigmatisation" often puts people in a dilemma as to what should be done.

"Convict was an adult at the time of commission of offence having a thinking mind. And, therefore, ravishing a helpless and naive 11 year-old victim only to satisfy his lust speaks volumes of his perversity.

"I am, therefore, of the view that keeping in mind the young age of the convict and the fact that he is not a previous offender, maximum punishment may not be awarded. But seeing the gravity of the offence and the tender age of the victim, he cannot be let go by awarding only the minimum punishment," Additional Sessions Judge Seema Maini said.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Ram Prakash and awarded the girl a compensation of Rs 3 lakh.

Expressing concern over sexual offences against children, the court said, "Sexual assault on a child leaves its deep-rooted scars on the entire persona of the victim. These scars do not heal up ever despite best medical aid. Below these scars get submerged all her past and future joyous moments, her natural smile and happy disposition, leaving the victim stuffed in her own self," the court observed.

It said the Constitution guarantees Right to Equality to all the citizens but it is unfortunate that the women who are the victim of sexual assault or rape are subjected to social stigmatisation and forced to make compromises in all spheres of life. – PTI