Convict sentenced to death for 6-year-old's rape and murder
YAMUNANAGAR:
In a landmark verdict, a Yamunanagar court has sentenced a man to death for the abduction, rape, and murder of a 6-year-old girl, after what is believed to be the first such conviction under India's new
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
(BNS) law. The ruling brings closure to a horrific case that shook the village of Chhachhrauli, Yamunanagar, and underscores the judiciary's commitment to delivering justice in cases of heinous crimes against children.
On September 20 last year, the young girl went missing while playing outside her home. Her body was discovered later that night in nearby fields, where she had been strangled to death. Investigations revealed that the accused, identified as Rajesh, abducted the child, took her to the fields, raped her, and then murdered her to cover up his crime. The brutality of the act left the community in shock and mourning.
Swift police action led to Rajesh's arrest after two villagers reported seeing him take the girl toward the fields, and another witness saw him returning alone. When confronted, it was found that the accused had returned home to change clothes before fleeing. The police apprehended him soon after.
The case was heard in the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Court by Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Ranjana Aggarwal. The prosecution, led by District Attorney Gurdev Tandon, presented a watertight case, bolstered by the testimonies of 18 witnesses. Crucially, two eyewitnesses confirmed seeing the accused with the victim, while another saw him leaving the crime scene. Forensic evidence further sealed the case, with the accused's DNA matching samples found at the scene.
In delivering the death penalty, the court emphasized the gravity of the crime and its devastating impact on the victim's family and society. Legal experts note that this may be the first instance of a death sentence under the POCSO Act within the framework of the BNS, a new legal code aimed at strengthening India's criminal justice system.
The victim's family expressed relief and gratitude for the verdict, stating, 'The court has given the accused the punishment he deserves. We have received justice for our daughter.' The ruling has been hailed as a significant step in deterring crimes against children and reinforcing public faith in the judicial process.
This verdict serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of swift investigations, credible eyewitness accounts, and forensic evidence in securing justice. For the people of Yamunanagar, it is a bittersweet moment—a step toward healing and a call for greater vigilance to protect the most vulnerable among us.
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