Court sentences youth to 20 years in prison for raping two minors – ThePrint – PTIFeed

New Delhi, Sept 5 (PTI) – A court here in Delhi has sentenced a youth to 20 years of imprisonment for raping two minors aged five and six in 2017. The court said the crime of rape at such a young age is psychologically devastating for the victims and the horrific memories will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

Additional Sessions Judge Amit Sahrawat was hearing a case against a child in conflict with the law who was convicted of rape and aggravated sexual assault with penetration.

Special Public Prosecutor Vineet Dahiya said the youth had committed a heinous crime.

In a ruling issued on Wednesday, the court said an aggravating circumstance in the case was that the crime was committed simultaneously with two small children, while a mitigating circumstance was that the accused was “a victim of bad company.”

“Considering that CCL’s opportunities to participate in society must be kept open, this court is of the reasonable view that he should receive the minimum sentence,” it said.

However, the court stated that the rape of each victim would be considered a separate crime.

“The crime of rape involving two victims cannot be grouped together as a single crime simply because it was committed simultaneously. Rape is a crime against the body and each victim has the individual right to protect, preserve and uphold the dignity of her body,” the report said.

The court subsequently sentenced the convicted man to ten years in prison for each of the two offenses.

“It is also worrying that the crime of rape at such a young age is psychologically devastating for both victims and the horrific memories of it will haunt the victims for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it is the duty of this court to rescue the victims from the trauma they have experienced,” it said.

The court also awarded Rs 10.5 lakh each as compensation to both the victims. PTI MNR RC

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