Pioneer News Service
Pakur
The Additional District and Sessions Court-I in Pakur on Tuesday sentenced nine men to rigorous imprisonment for life for the remainder of their natural lives in a 2024 gang-rape case in Hirapur police station area.
Additional Sessions Judge-I Kumar Kranti Prasad convicted the nine accused under Section 376-D of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on each convict.
According to the prosecution, the incident took place on the evening of June 1, 2024, when the 19-year-old survivor had gone for a walk with her husband to a cashew plantation in Saharpur village under Hirapur police station. The accused allegedly intercepted the couple, restrained the woman’s husband and took the survivor to a secluded area, where she was allegedly gang-raped.
An FIR was registered at Hirapur police station as Case No. 35/2024 on June 2, 2024. The case was subsequently tried as Sessions Trial No. 143/2024.
The prosecution examined six key witnesses during the trial. After considering the evidence, the court held the accused guilty.
In its judgment, the court observed that the crime had caused severe physical and psychological trauma to the survivor and had shaken basic social values and the sense of security in society. The court rejected the defence plea seeking leniency on the grounds of the accused’s age.
The nine convicts were identified as Manven Marandi (28), Chandan Soren alias Chand Soren (29), Vivek Soren (22), Lakhirām Mridha alias Babulal Marandi (22), Jene Hansda (27), Vishwanath Hembram (24), Pandu Hembram (30), Mistri Hembram (30) and Sakal Hansda (34). All are residents of Kasturi village under Hirapur police station in Pakur district.
The court directed that each convict serve imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life. In addition, each was fined ₹50,000. In default of payment, the convicts will undergo one additional year of simple imprisonment.
The court further directed that the entire amount recovered through the fines be paid to the survivor as compensation for her physical and psychological suffering.
The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Pakur, to determine and provide appropriate additional compensation to the survivor under the applicable Victim Compensation Scheme.
The verdict comes as a significant judicial response to a grave crime against women, with the court stressing the need for effective protection of women and strict punishment in cases involving such serious offences.
