VISHAL Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present case reflects an insensitive approach of local police, in not promptly reacting to an incident of rape of two girls, in their early teens, in disregard to the public outcry requiring quick action against the rapists. Such incidents leave a deep scar on the mind of girls in our society. It is high time that investigating agencies are properly oriented to be sensitive and react promptly to such situations and step into help and aid the victim and their families. The delay in police swinging into action swiftly would always leave scope of tinkering with the exact version than the one projected in the Court.

(2.) The first charge against the appellant is under Section 376 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), for committing rape on the prosecutrix between 26/27.01.2009. His co-accused Sanjeev Kumar @ Sanju said to have committed rape on the other girl, a classmate and living in the locality of prosecutrix, was a juvenile and proceeded against separately before the Juvenile Justice Board. The other two charges are for illegally confining the minor girls and threatening them with dire consequences for causing injury to the person and reputation of the girls, attracting Sections 342 and 506 IPC.

(3.) The FIR was registered on the statement of father of the other girl, who is prosecutrix in the case against juvenile. That other girl (hereinafter referred to as 'G-2') was studying in 7th standard in the school at Nangal Township. On 26.01.2009, G-2 accompanied by other girls including the prosecutrix referred as G-1, went to the boy's school, for attending Republic Day Function. That function was over by 12 O'clock in the noon. It was reported that after attending Republic Day function G-1 and G-2 went near Kangra Club, at Pahari market, Nangal. They were then returning home that the appellant and the juvenile, started following the girls. Both these boys took the girls to a vacant house and committed rape on them. Thereafter, the accused persons bolted the room from outside and in the next morning left the girls near their houses and fled away.