Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Presiding Officer Fast Track Court Sanjeev Gupta today awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 25000 to a rapist namely Balwan Singh, son of Shamsher Singh.
According to police case, on October 7, 2008 prosecutrix along with her husband approached the Police Station Khour with a written report mentioning that prosecutrix was raped by the accused Balwant Singh. On this, police registered a case and after completion of the investigation presented challan in the court.
After hearing Additional Public Prosecutor G S Charak for the State, Presiding Officer observed, “the rape cases and cases relating to crime against women have alarmingly increased. The social impact of the crime particularly when it relates to offences against women cannot be lost sight of and it requires exemplary treatment”, adding “any liberal attitude by imposing meager sentences or taking too sympathetic view merely on account of economic condition of a person or other irrelevant considerations will be result wise counterproductive in the long run”.
“It is the duty of the court to impose appropriate punishment so as to respond to the society’s cry for justice against such criminals. Public abhorrence of the crime needs a reflection through the courts verdicts in the measure of punishment. The courts must not only keep rights of the criminal but also the rights of the victim of crime and the society at large while considering punishment”, Presiding Officer said.
With these observations, Court awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 25000 to Balwan Singh. “In case fine amount is realized from the convict an amount of Rs 20,000 shall be paid to the victim as compensation”, the court directed.
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