New Delhi: This is a bittersweet, heartwarming story of a minor who survived a sexual assault three years ago and the judge who convicted her attacker.
The survivor, now 10 years old, was sexually assaulted by a man she referred to as “uncle”.
While sentencing the convict to life imprisonment earlier this year, judge Rajani Ranga wrote to the child that although the court could not restore her lost childhood, it was assuring her that her words had been heard.
The trial judge also mentioned the child’s plea that her “uncle” remain in prison until he grew old had been granted.
The letter read:
“Dear Child,
Beta, this Court heard you. When you said Jab tak uncle buddhe na ho jaaye, tab tak unhe jail mein hi Rakha jaaye, this Court listened. And this Court has answered your plea. Today, this Court has ordered that the man you called ‘uncle’ will never walk free again. He will live in a cage for the rest of his life. He will grow old in that cage. He will die in that cage. He will never be able to hurt you, or your little sister, or any other child, ever again.
You are the bravest little girl this Court has ever seen. You came to Court, you pointed at the man who hurt you, and you told the truth. The man you called ‘uncle’ did a very bad thing to you. But you did not stay quiet. You told your mother. And because you had the courage to speak, he will never be able to hurt another child again. This Court cannot give you back your childhood.
But the Court can promise you that your words have been heard. Your plea has been granted. The man who hurt you will never see the sun as a free man again. Now, beta, live your life. Go to school. Make friends. Laugh. Play. Dream. This Court will always remember your courage.”
The accused had moved the Delhi High Court, challenging his conviction order.
The high court not only refused to suspend the sentence, the bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Dinesh Bhatt directed that the letter be handed over to the child within two weeks along with the compensation awarded her.
The trial court’s May 20 and July 11 orders convicted the accused of aggravated penetrative sexual assault under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and rape, and court sentenced him to life imprisonment. The high court also awarded the victim compensation of Rs 10.50 lakh.
“The trial court’s message for her is a message of encouragement. Let the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) print this message which is extracted above and handover the same to the survivor or her family members, along with the compensation within a period of two weeks from this order,” the high order said in its September 22 judgment.
