Brothers’ testimonies nails convict; HC awards life term

New Delhi, May 20

Testimonies of two brothers nailed a man whose life imprisonment was upheld by the High Court today for raping and murdering their sister over two decades ago.

A bench of Justices Manmohan and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said the statements of the victim's two brothers, who were eyewitnesses, were "consistent, corroborative and trustworthy" and there was nothing on record to contradict their testimonies.

"The testimonies of both these witnesses stood confirmed by the post-mortem report of the deceased," the bench said. The scientific evidence also corroborates the prosecution's version.

The incident took place in December 1996, when the man, a neighbour, raped the girl and murdered her. 

The police found the girl's semi-naked body lying on a bed with injuries on her neck, in Budh Vihar.

The victim's brothers had told the court that they, along with their sister, were sleeping at the house of the accused which was adjacent to theirs.  They were staying in the room of accused which was taken on rent, and their parents were sleeping in their house which had been sold. At night, they heard their sister's screams and saw that the man was pressing the girl's throat with one hand and pressing a pillow on her face with another.

When they tried to stop the man, he threatened them and said in case they raise alarm, he would kill both of them and thereafter, he left for his room. — PTI