Rapist father sentenced to life

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, March 22

Rohtak Additional District and Sessions Judge Seema Singhal today sentenced Satpal (51) to imprisonment for the remaining period of his life for having raped his minor daughter at their home in Kalanaur township of Rohtak district for several years.

The girl maintained that when she was 12-year-old, her father withdrew her from studies and kept her confined to home so that the matter did not get revealed.

When she was 13, she somehow managed to reach a police station and narrated her ordeal. However, the police officials she confided in sent her back without lodging her complaint.

A few days after her 14th birthday, her father left his mobile phone at home on April 8, 2014. The girl dialled 1091 – the women helpline number following which a police party reached their home and rescued her.

She was made to undergo a medico-legal examination, which confirmed rape. The police booked and arrested Satpal .

Delivering the judgement, Seema Singhal observed that a large number of children were being abused sexually by their own relatives and the maximum incidents remained unreported.

“While dealing with the case, it is felt by the court to send the suggestions to make incest a crime punishable separately under the IPC with more severe punishment — the punishment provided for rape. It is also felt that special protection homes be made for the victims of such crimes, and necessary steps be taken for providing them psychological help and education,” the Judge maintained, adding that a copy of the judgement be sent to the Union Ministry of Law through the District Magistrate, Rohtak.

She ordered that a copy of the judgment be also sent to the SP, Rohtak, for taking appropriate action against the police officials— Shilak Ram (now Sub-Inspector), Deepak (now head constable) and Naresh (now ASI)—-for dereliction of duty by not taking cognizance upon the victim’s complaint.