Life Term for 3 in Kathua Gang Rape
Three of the accused in the inhumane Kathua gang-rape are sentenced to life while 3 officers found guilty of destroying evidence are sentence to 5 years in jail with a Rs 1 lakh fine each.
On 10th January 2018, an 8-year-old was kidnapped. Over the next few days she was sedated and gang-raped and beaten to death in a temple in Kathua, Jammu Kashmir. The girl was used to drive out the Bakherwal Muslim community from Kathua. On 17th January 2018 her body is found. An autopsy is conducted which confirms that she was drugged and sexually assaulted. The entire country is shocked when details of the her rape, torture and killing came out. On 22nd January 2018 8 persons including 4 cops are arrested.
A police officer accepted a bribe of Rs 4 lakh from one of the accused to destroy evidence. Sanji Ram was the key conspirator. He was a retired revenue officer and the also the priest of the temple where the girl was raped. Yesterday on 10th June, 3 of the accused have been given a life sentence. They will spend their lives in jail. The 3 policemen were sentenced to 5 years in jail and a fine of Rs 1 lakh each. The seventh accused Vishal Jangotra son of Sanji Ram, was not found guilty of any charges. An appeal has been filed against this. The 8th accused says he is below 18 years of age. His trial will is still to be heard by the J&K court.
The National Commission for Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma said that, those who raped the girl deserve only the death penalty. She said that the J&K government must appeal in the higher courts. The most severe punishment in such a case will send a strong message and stop people from doing such a crime again.
