Key Facts
A court in Mizoram's Aizawl district on Tuesday sentenced two Border Security Force (BSF) jawans to 42 years of rigorous imprisonment for the gang rape and acid attack of a woman in 2017. The convicts, Nilanjan Das and Dinesh Kumar, were also fined ₹60,000 each under three counts, with an additional two months of imprisonment for each count if the fine is not paid.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Sylvie Zomuanpuii Ralte had convicted the duo on June 12 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and announced the quantum of punishment on Tuesday.
Details of the Sentence
The court sentenced both convicts to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment for gang rape, 10 years for rape causing grievous bodily harm, and 12 years for acid attack. The sentences will run consecutively, totaling 42 years. The judge also imposed a fine of ₹60,000 each under these three counts, and on default, they will undergo an additional two months of imprisonment under each count.
The Crime
Das and Kumar, residents of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh respectively, raped the woman and attacked her with a corrosive substance near the Gaskata river in Silsuri West village in Mamit district on July 16, 2017. The victim and her companion had gone to the forest near the Gaskata stream to collect crabs and wild vegetables when they encountered the accused, who were then posted at a BSF camp in the area along the Mizoram-Bangladesh border.
The survivor testified that the two men sexually assaulted her and later poured a corrosive substance on her face, causing severe burns and loss of vision in one eye. Her friend briefly moved away from the spot during the incident and was later found dead near the crime scene.
Acquittal on Murder Charge
The court acquitted the two of the charge of murdering the rape victim's friend, whose body was found a few days later. The judge ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the two accused were responsible for her death.
Legal Proceedings
Police registered a case at Marpara police station two days after the incident based on a complaint filed by the victim's brother. The trial concluded with the conviction and sentencing of the two BSF jawans.
What Readers Should Know
- The convicts are BSF personnel who were posted along the Mizoram-Bangladesh border at the time of the crime.
- The victim suffered severe burns and lost vision in one eye due to the acid attack.
- The sentences are to run consecutively, meaning the convicts will serve a total of 42 years in prison.
- The court acquitted them of murder due to insufficient evidence.
FAQ
What was the sentence given to the two BSF jawans?
The court sentenced them to 42 years of rigorous imprisonment for gang rape, rape causing grievous bodily harm, and acid attack, with fines totaling ₹60,000 each.
Were the accused also convicted for murder?
No, the court acquitted them of the murder charge due to lack of evidence beyond reasonable doubt.
When and where did the crime occur?
The crime occurred on July 16, 2017, near the Gaskata river in Silsuri West village, Mamit district, Mizoram.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com