AAP MLA Lalpura, 7 others get 4-year jail in 2013 molestation case

In a case involving the molestation and torture of a Scheduled Caste girl nearly 12 years ago, the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge on Friday sentenced Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Khadoor Sahib Majinder Singh Lalpura and seven others to four years of rigorous imprisonment.

The accused were found guilty on Wednesday. Additional Sessions Judge Prem Kumar pronounced the sentence. Along with Lalpura, those convicted under Sections 3(1)(x) and 4 of the SC/ST Act and Sections 354, 148 and 149 of the IPC are Devinder Kumar, Saraj Singh, Ashwani Kumar, Tarsem Singh, Harjinder Singh (all policemen), Harwinder Singh Shoshi and Kanwaldeep Singh. The court ordered the accused to undergo four years of imprisonment and pay a fine of Rs 50,000.

The court also declared that the victim is entitled to compensation, the amount of which is yet to be specified.

Three other persons, found guilty under Sections 323, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC, were each sentenced to one year of imprisonment.

The incident took place on March 3, 2013, when the victim was attending a wedding function with her parents at a venue on the Goindwal Sahib road. She was assaulted by 12 accused, including six policemen, who tore her garments.

The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and ordered paramilitary protection for the victim.