Kanpur: A special court in Jhansi on Thursday sentenced a 37-year-old man to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh for raping a 63-year-old Dalit woman who was guarding her field in the Erich area of the district seven years ago.The judgement was delivered by Special Judge (SC/ST Act) Netrapal Singh, who convicted Bhajju Dhimar, a resident of Dhamnaud village under Kakarbai police station, under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.According to Special Public Prosecutors Keshvendra Pratap Singh and Kapil Karaulia, the survivor lodged an FIR at Erich police station on August 24, 2019. She alleged that while guarding her sesame crop on the evening of August 23, the accused overpowered her, tied her eyes and legs, raped her and fled the spot.The survivor later informed her husband and family members before approaching the police. A case was registered under Section 376 of the IPC and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act, following which police filed a chargesheet after completing the investigation.Based on the evidence and witness testimonies presented during the trial, the court awarded the accused 14 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a Rs1 lakh fine under Section 376 of the IPC. In default of payment, he will undergo an additional six months’ rigorous imprisonment. For the offence under Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment and imposed another Rs1 lakh fine, with an additional six months’ imprisonment in case of default.The court also directed that Rs 1.5 lakh from the total fine amount be paid to the survivor as compensation after the expiry of the appeal period or in accordance with the appellate court’s orders if an appeal is filed.
