A court in Mathura has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing a 32-year-old auto-rickshaw driver to a decade of rigorous imprisonment for the brutal rape of a 25-year-old student. The judgment, pronounced by Additional Sessions Judge Pallavi Agrawal on Friday, brings a measure of closure to a case that shocked the city and highlighted issues of women's safety in public transport.
The Fateful Journey and Assault
The incident dates back to September 11. According to Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC) Avneesh Updhayay, the survivor, an MPharma student, had arrived in Mathura from Lucknow by bus. She disembarked at the Vrindavan Cut on the Yamuna Expressway and booked the convicted man's auto-rickshaw to reach her university.
Instead of taking her to the intended destination, the driver, Ashish, diverted the three-wheeler to a secluded stretch near Raya Road. There, he threatened to kill her before committing the rape. After the assault, he abandoned the traumatized woman on the roadside.
Swift Police Action and Legal Proceedings
Displaying immense courage, the survivor immediately alerted a friend over the phone. The friend then dialled the emergency number 112. The student was taken to a nearby police station where she lodged a formal complaint. An FIR was registered the same day under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections.
The charges included BNS Section 64(1) for rape, Section 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt, and Section 351(3) for criminal intimidation. Police traced the auto-rickshaw and arrested the accused that very morning following a brief encounter. He sustained injuries while attempting to flee.
During the arrest, a country-made gun was recovered from him. Consequently, the police added charges of attempt to murder (BNS 109) and relevant provisions of the Arms Act to the FIR. The investigative process moved swiftly, with the chargesheet being filed on October 17.
Court's Reliance on Evidence and Final Judgment
During the trial, the auto driver denied all allegations, claiming the case was fabricated "over non-payment of fare." However, the court found his defense lacking in credibility.
Judge Pallavi Agrawal convicted the accused, relying heavily on the survivor's "consistent testimony," which was strongly corroborated by multiple pieces of evidence. This included medical reports, call detail records, the recovery of the auto-rickshaw, and statements from witnesses.
The court specifically observed that "the crime had a severe psychological impact on the survivor and warranted strict punishment." The final sentence imposed was 10 years of rigorous imprisonment coupled with a fine of Rs 1.08 lakh. The court directed that 90% of this fine amount is to be paid to the survivor as compensation. A default clause was also added, stating the convict will have to serve an additional year in jail if he fails to pay the fine.
This judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to delivering timely justice in cases of sexual violence, emphasizing the weight given to a survivor's account when supported by forensic and circumstantial evidence.
