Ludhiana: Man gets life term for raping stepdaughter

Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 26

The Court of Additional Sessions Ravi Inder Kaur Sandhu has convicted Bahadur Gupta (33), a resident of Abdullapur Basti, here, on the charges of kidnapping and raping his stepdaughter.

He was ordered to undergo rigorous life imprisonment. A fine of Rs 60,000 was also imposed upon the convict. The court made it clear that out of the fine amount, Rs 50,000 would be paid to the victim as compensation.

Delivering the verdict, the court held that the prosecution has successfully proved the charges levelled against the accused beyond any reasonable shadow of doubt. The court also declined the plea of leniency raised by him.

Additional Public Prosecutor Neelam Pathak said a case against the accused was registered on December 23, 2018, following the complaint moved by the mother of the victim girl at the Model Town police station. The prosecution examined as many as 13 witnesses to prove the guilt of the accused.

The complainant had told the police that she, along with her three children, was residing with the accused as husband and wife for the past 5-6 years as her previous husband has left her. Following a quarrel, the accused started living separately.

On December 18, 2018, when she had gone to work, the victim was at home. Later, the accused came to the house and took the victim with him by alluring her. The matter was reported to the police. After the recovery of the girl and the arrest of the accused, it was revealed by the victim that she was being physically exploited by her father.

However, during the trial, the accused pleaded innocence and claimed false implication. But after appreciating the evidence on record and convinced with the submissions of the additional public prosecutor, the court found him guilty and sentenced accordingly.