Agra Court Delivers Justice: 10-Year Sentence for 2014 Rape of Elderly Woman
In a significant verdict from Agra, a local court has handed down 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentences to two men convicted of raping a 70-year-old woman in Aligarh district back in 2014. The court of additional district and sessions judge P K Jayant delivered this judgment, marking a crucial step in a decade-long legal battle for justice.
Court Imposes Fine and Details Ongoing Proceedings
Beyond the prison terms, the court imposed a fine of Rs 6,000 on each convict, adding financial penalties to their punishment. Meanwhile, proceedings against a third accused, who was a minor at the time of the offence, continue separately before the Juvenile Justice Board, highlighting the case's complexity across different legal frameworks.
Chilling Details of the 2014 Incident Emerge
Additional district government counsel (ADGC) Pramendra Jain provided harrowing details of the crime on Saturday. On February 1, 2014, the elderly victim had gone to a field to collect fodder when she was attacked. Two men from her village, now in their 30s and working as daily wage labourers, along with a 17-year-old accomplice, dragged her into the field, gagged her with cloth, and committed the rape.
The survivor courageously narrated her ordeal to her family, leading her son to file a police complaint that initiated the legal process. This act of speaking out proved pivotal in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Legal Framework and Investigation Timeline
A case was registered against all three accused under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code:
- Section 323 for voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 326 for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons
- Section 376 for rape
- Section 34 for criminal acts planned or executed jointly by multiple people
The accused were arrested the very next day after the complaint was filed, demonstrating prompt police action. Charges were formally filed a few weeks later, setting the stage for the prolonged legal proceedings that followed.
Court's Deliberation and Final Verdict
"After hearing both sides and examining all witnesses and evidence, the court pronounced two of the accused guilty on Friday," stated ADGC Pramendra Jain. This comprehensive examination of testimony and evidence over years culminated in Friday's judgment, bringing closure to one aspect of this distressing case while proceedings continue for the juvenile accused.
The verdict serves as a reminder of the judicial system's role in addressing crimes against vulnerable members of society, particularly elderly women in rural settings. It also underscores the importance of family support and timely legal intervention in such sensitive cases.
