Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 26: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, July 26, 2023: A Division Bench, comprising Justice Sanjay Dhar and Justice Rajesh Sekhri, upheld the life imprisonment of a maternal grandfather convicted of raping his one-year-old granddaughter.
According to the police case, the father of the victim lodged a written report with Police Station Udhampur on March 11, 2011, stating that he, along with his family, was residing in the house of his wife's grandfather. On that fateful day, the appellant, who was the maternal grandfather of the victim, took her to his house in the close vicinity. Shortly after, the victim's cries were heard, and upon rushing to the appellant's room, the mother found her one-year-old daughter lying on the bed, bleeding per vagina. The circumstances suggested that the appellant had committed the heinous act of rape on the child victim, leading to the registration of FIR No. 86/2012 under Section 376 of the Ranbir Penal Code.
The Division Bench, after hearing both sides, strongly condemned the appalling act and emphasized the gravity of the crime. The judges observed that crimes against women, especially rape, are a blot on society and reflect an attitude of indifference towards the violation of human dignity. They further stressed that women have the right to life, liberty, respect, and equality as equal citizens. The court stated that it shoulders a great responsibility when trying an accused on charges of rape.
Considering the seriousness of the offense and the well-reasoned and lucid judgment of conviction and sentence propounded by the trial court, the Division Bench found no illegality or perversity in the verdict. As a result, the appeal was dismissed, and the appellant was directed to serve the remainder of his sentence. |
