Early Times Report
Jammu, June 1: Principal Sessions Judge Kathua Sanjeev Gupta today awarded rigorous life-imprisonment to Rattan Kumar who was facing trial in murder of 2 ½ years old child. Court also awarded five years rigorous imprisonment u/s 364 RPC.
One Seema Devi lodged a written report to the Police Post, Hatli Morh, Kathua, stating that on 2.5.2013 she had gone to a shop for fetching milk alongwith her two children and was returning home, in the meantime, accused who is a labourer at CTM Kathua, with a criminal intention kidnapped his 2½ years old son namely Rohit Pandit. She ran after the accused but the accused succeeded in running away alongwith his child to some unknown place. During the course of investigation dead body of child was recovered.
During the course of investigation, investigation that accused and husband of Seema Devi used to work as a labourer at CTM, Kathua, and both of them were friendly to each other. Husband of Seema Devi was residing with his family at Ward No.14, Ram Nagar Colony, on rent and the accused also used to reside in the nearby colony, who was a regular visitor to the house of husband of Seema Devi, due to which he developed an intimacy with the children of husband of Seema Devi, besides also developed a liking for Seema Devi. It was further found in the investigation that sometime before the occurrence, accused asked Seema Devi to run away with him to some other place, however, Seema Devi spurned his offer.
After kidnapping her child, the accused contacted Seema Devi on her mobile phone and told her to accompany him, otherwise, her child will be killed. However, despite repeated phone calls made by Seema Devi, accused did not return her child and insisted upon her to come to the Railway Station, Kathua, but, Seema Devi refused to come to the Railway Station and pleaded with the accused on phone to return back her child.
Principal Sessions Judge Kathua Sanjeev Gupta while announcing the sentence observed that State should be burdened to provide monetary assistance to the family of victim out of its own funds, because it is the protector of life and property of its citizens being their custodian. Therefore, in my view, a compensation of Rupees Two Lacs will be just and reasonable amount for providing financial assistance to the family of victim, which shall be paid within one month by the Member Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir State Legal Services Authority. |
