New Delhi: A Delhi court, while sentencing three men to life for the offence of gang rape of a 16-year-old girl in 2019, observed that the effects of gang rape can persist for years or even a lifetime without proper support.
“In such a situation, there is a need to ensure that the perpetrators face swift and severe consequences, sending a clear message that such heinous acts will not be tolerated. Only the worst punishment will convey the intended message to the community and other people who share the same beliefs and who display tremendous depravity of mind,” the court of additional sessions judge Susheel Bala Dagar observed.
According to the prosecution, three men—Shiv Prasad, Arun Yadav, and Kamlesh—kidnapped the girl from the gate of Shish Mahal Park, Shalimar Bagh, and took her to a secluded place, where they inflicted violence on her and then raped her.
They were convicted by the court for the offences under Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Pocso Act 2012, as well as gang rape, kidnapping, and other charges in March this year.
Additional public prosecutor Yogita Kaushik Dahiya submitted before the court that the convicts deserve no sympathy for their abominable and reprehensible act.
“Gang penetrative sexual assault is a harrowing and distressing crime that strikes at the heart of human dignity and well-being. It is a profoundly traumatic experience that can have devastating and long-lasting effects on the victim,” the judge said.
“The victim may experience intense distress triggered by reminders of the assault, internalise blame, and feel ashamed or responsible for the assault, even though she is not at fault. Further trust issues can strain intimate relationships, friendships, or family dynamics, sometimes leading to long-term difficulties in forming connections. The effects of gang rape can persist for years or even a lifetime without proper support,” said the court.