Darjeeling court hands down life imprisonment to rape accused

EOI, DARJEELING, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024: The Special Court in Darjeeling on Thursday pronounced a verdict sentencing an accused to rigorous life imprisonment for molesting and raping a girl. The judgment was pronounced by Judge Sanjiv Ray of the Darjeeling Special Court 2.

According to the Public Prosecutor, Pranay Rai, a complaint was lodged by the victim's father on October 30, 2019. "The accused was arrested on the same day the complaint was lodged. The accused did get bail later. However, a charge sheet under Section 173 of the CrPC was filed by the police on November 28, 2019. Twenty witnesses were examined, including doctors from the district hospital," Rai said.

The Public Prosecutor said the victim was traumatized mentally and had initially refused to speak, but opened up only after proper counseling. "We have to give credit to three teachers from the school where the victim was studying for helping bring to light what had transpired," said Rai.

The victim was a student of a prominent school in Kalimpong but refused to go home during vacations and even injured herself by slashing her hands. This behavior aroused the suspicion of her teachers. The teachers, curious about her condition, called the victim's father. After counseling, it was revealed that the girl had been a victim of molestation and rape.

"Apparently, the accused was a friend of the victim's father. Whenever the girl would come home during holidays, the accused took undue advantage of the relationship, molesting and raping her. This was the reason the victim refused to come home during vacations," Rai said.

"We appreciate the role of the police, Edith Wilkins for Street Children Association, and the doctors of the District Hospital," Rai added. Besides the rigorous life imprisonment, the accused has also been directed to pay a fine of Rs. 50,000.

The victim's father expressed gratitude to the police and the judiciary for delivering justice to his daughter. "My own friend betrayed me and committed such a heinous crime. Today, I am happy that my daughter got justice. I am thankful to the honorable judge and lawyers," he said.