In just 16 days, child rapist awarded death

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, August 8

A trial court in Warangal has set a record of sorts by completing the trial in a rape-murder case of a nine-month-old in June. The trial started on July 24 and the 27-year-old accused was sentenced to death today. The verdict was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge K Jayakumar.

In June, a nine-month-old was raped and killed by the accused leading to a lot of resentment and protests in the state. The completion of the trail in two weeks has been widely hailed and the DGP of the state police has congratulated the police team for securing the conviction.

The accused, P Praveen, was sentenced to death under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC and life imprisonment for rape under Section 376 among other offences and also under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The judge also slapped Rs20,000 fine on the accused. The police said the chargesheet was filed in the court on July 11 and charges were framed on July 22. The trial started on July 24 and witnesses were examined within six days.