A Delhi court has handed down a life sentence to a man, who was tried as an adult for crimes committed as a minor, for the brutal rape and murder of a 60-year-old woman in 2017. The case took a remarkable turn when the convict's own mother filed an application seeking the cancellation of his bail, citing his violent and uncontrollable behavior.
The Crime and Trial as an Adult
The horrific incident occurred on November 25, 2017, when the accused, referred to as CCL 'RS', raped and murdered the elderly victim. Following the crime, a Police Investigation Report (PIR) was filed before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).
In a significant order on August 25, 2018, the Juvenile Justice Board determined that the CCL was above 16 years of age at the time of the offence. Consequently, the Board ruled that he should face trial as an adult offender. The case was subsequently transferred to a sessions court, which formally found him in conflict with the law on October 28.
A Mother's Plea and Court's Observations
In a rare and telling development in 2018, the mother of the accused, who is now 25 years old, approached the court seeking the cancellation of his bail. She pleaded that when her son was out on bail, he was completely out of control, addicted to alcohol, and physically abusive towards her and other family members.
Additional Sessions Judge Amit Sahrawat, while pronouncing the sentence on December 9, noted the convict's disturbing psychology. The judge observed that the CCL harbored a "grudge" and "feeling of hate" towards older women, which was a driving factor behind the crime.
The court emphasized that the convict's past conduct showed he misused his liberty when previously released and displayed no remorse for his actions. Judge Sahrawat stated, "The conduct of the CCL shows that earlier when he was released, he misused his liberty and continued his bad habits which reflects that he has never been remorseful for his misdeeds."
Incomplete Reformation and Life Sentence
The court acknowledged that the accused had undergone a long reformative process but concluded that his reformation was incomplete. It noted he still had "mental issues with senior ladies" and posed a continued threat to vulnerable elderly women.
"If he is set free in society without complete reformation, then he could again get himself involved in crimes... there were chances of committing a similar offence," the judge remarked, justifying the need for a life term to ensure further rehabilitation.
Along with the life sentence, the court issued specific directives for the convict's continued reformation. The jail superintendent was ordered to provide him with employment during his incarceration based on his vocational skills. The court also mandated that he shall be provided education in jail.
Furthermore, the District Child Protection Unit was directed to assess the convict's reformation progress annually and submit a follow-up report to the court every year on January 2, or the next working day if it is a holiday.
