A sessions court in Mumbai delivered a significant verdict on Wednesday, convicting and sentencing a 42-year-old man to eight years of rigorous imprisonment for the heinous crimes of repeatedly raping and impregnating a 20-year-old woman back in 2015.
Court Dismisses Consensual Relationship Claim
The judge firmly rejected the defence's arguments that suggested a consensual relationship between the accused and the survivor. The court noted the severe gravity of the offences, which were committed by the accused under the deceptive guise of friendship. The ruling emphasized that such acts of betrayal and violence cannot be shielded by false narratives.
Prosecution's Case and the Incidents
The prosecution built its case around two traumatic incidents that occurred in February 2015. The crimes took place at a mobile service provider's outlet in Andheri, where the convict was employed. The young woman, who often passed by the shop while helping at her father's nearby vegetable stall, was deceitfully lured into the office.
On the first occasion, the accused pulled down the shop's shutter and raped her. In the second instance, he tricked her by falsely claiming that a mutual friend was inside the office. The survivor was subjected to terrifying threats, including warnings of "dire consequences" and death, if she ever revealed the brutal abuse she endured.
Procedural Lapses and Firm Testimony
During the trial, the judge acknowledged certain procedural lapses in the storage of forensic samples, which the court stated had eroded the authenticity of the DNA report. However, this did not derail the pursuit of justice. The judge placed paramount importance on the survivor's testimony, which was found to be convincingly "firm on material points" and consistent, forming a solid foundation for the conviction.
How the Crime Came to Light
The horrific ordeal remained hidden until April 2015. It was only when the survivor missed her menstrual cycle that her mother took her to a doctor. The medical examination revealed the devastating truth: she was eight weeks pregnant. This discovery forced the crime into the open, initiating the legal process that has now concluded with this conviction.
The court's decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to holding perpetrators accountable, even when cases rely heavily on survivor testimony amidst challenging circumstances. The eight-year sentence reflects the serious nature of the crimes committed against the young woman.
