A district court in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced two men to 20 years in prison for gang-raping a woman during the 2013 riots that took place in the region. The convicts, identified as Maheshvir and Sikander, were also fined Rs 15,000 each by Additional District Sessions judge A K Singh.
The incident had occurred during the communal violence that broke out in Muzaffarnagar in September 2013, which claimed over 60 lives and displaced thousands of people. The woman, who belonged to the Muslim community, was raped by the two men during the riots.
The convicts were charged under Section 376(2)(g) of the Indian Penal Code, which prescribes punishment for committing rape during communal or sectarian violence, Section 376D for gang-rape, and Section 506 for criminal intimidation.
The court’s verdict is being seen as a significant step towards justice for the victim and her family, who had been waiting for eight years for the culprits to be held accountable for their actions. The prosecution had presented strong evidence, including witness testimony and DNA samples, to prove the guilt of the accused.
While delivering the verdict, the judge observed that the crime was heinous and had caused irreparable damage to the victim and her family. He also noted that the accused had shown no remorse for their actions and had tried to evade the law.
The case had been closely watched by human rights activists and women’s groups, who had been demanding swift action against the perpetrators of sexual violence during the 2013 riots. The verdict has been hailed as a victory for justice and a warning to those who seek to use communal violence as a pretext for rape and other crimes against women.
It is hoped that the judgment will serve as a deterrent to others and send a clear message that perpetrators of sexual violence will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of the circumstances in which the crime took place. The case is a reminder that justice delayed is not justice denied, and that the law will eventually catch up with those who commit heinous crimes.
