Man awarded 14-year RI for raping minor

New Delhi: A Delhi court sent a 40- year old man to jail for 14 years for raping an 8-year old girl, saying such people had perverted minds and an “animal streak” and ravish anyone who came across them.

Asserting that they should be dealt with a firm hand, additional sessions judge Seema Maini, while awarding rigorous imprisonment to north Delhi resident, Rajvinder Singh, said the victim was at a tender age and “her suffering at the hands of the convict cannot be expressed in words.”

The victim “has been left to lead a life devoid of life,” the judge said in her verdict, adding that such victims “lose interest in life” and develop misandry  (hating men all their lives) and losing faith and trust in all relationships.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the convict to be given to the victim child, who would also be given Rs 3 lakh as compensation as per the provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

“It needs to be kept in mind that a penetrative sexual assault/rape are offences, which are the outcome of perverted and evil minds of people who not just lack sensitivity and emotions, but who carry an animal streak in them and ravish anyone who comes in their sight ... irrespective of the victim’s age. Such sexual offences have far reaching ramifications,” the court said.

According to the complaint, Singh, the victim’s neighbour had on Aug. 18, 2014, taken the girl to his house and raped her.

Singh claimed that being a neighbour, the victim’s parents often quarreled with him due to which he has been falsely implicated in many a case.

Seeking leniency, he said that wife had expired and has to take care of his four minor children.

Dismissing his contention as flimsy, the court said “such an offence committed with a child makes it imperative that the offender is dealt with a firm hand. The mitigating circumstances of the convict cannot be given precedence over the pain, suffering and trauma of the victim child, the court said.