Delhi High Court Overturns Conviction in High-Profile Human Trafficking Case
The Delhi High Court delivered a significant ruling on Tuesday, allowing the appeals of Geeta Arora, also known as Sonu Punjaban, and Sandeep Bedwal. This decision sets aside their previous convictions by a trial court in a case involving prostitution and human trafficking.
Bench Overturns 2020 Trial Court Judgment
A bench presided over by Justice Chandrashekharan Sudha overturned the 2020 judgment that had sentenced Geeta Arora to 24 years of imprisonment and Sandeep Bedwal to 20 years in jail. Additionally, the fines of Rs 64,000 and Rs 65,000 respectively, imposed by the trial court, have been set aside.
The detailed order from the High Court is anticipated to be uploaded later in the day, providing further clarity on the legal reasoning behind this reversal.
Legal Representation and Appeals Process
The duo had formally challenged the trial court's verdict before the High Court. Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa represented Geeta Arora during the proceedings, while advocate Akshay Bhandari appeared on behalf of Sandeep Bedwal.
Background of the Case and Original Convictions
In July 2020, a Delhi court had convicted Geeta Arora in connection with a case that involved kidnapping, prostitution, and human trafficking. Sandeep Bedwal was convicted specifically for the rape of a minor. The trial court had described the crimes as extremely heinous and had recommended a compensation of Rs 7 lakh for the victim.
According to the prosecution's case, the victim, who was 12 years old at the time, was lured by Sandeep Bedwal in 2009 under the pretext of marriage. She was subsequently sold into a human trafficking network. The victim was allegedly forced into prostitution, administered drugs, and sold multiple times, including to Geeta Arora.
Severe Trauma and Brutal Acts Documented
The trial court had observed that the victim endured severe physical and mental trauma. This included being forcibly administered drugs and threatened to ensure her compliance with the demands of the trafficking ring. The court had termed these acts as brutal and explicitly denied any leniency to the convicts in its original judgment.
Case Origins and Police Intervention
The case initially came to light in 2014 when the victim approached the Najafgarh police station. After undergoing counselling, she recorded a detailed statement outlining her prolonged ordeal, which led to the investigation and subsequent trial.
With the High Court's decision to set aside the convictions, the legal status of Geeta Arora and Sandeep Bedwal has changed. Further specifics regarding the High Court's rationale and any potential next steps in the legal process will become clearer once the full written order is made publicly available.
