Mumbai court reduces rape convict's life term, cites Gandhi essay
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Mumbai: The Bombay High Court reduced a man's life sentence to 12 years for raping a minor girl, factoring his young age at the time of the crime, prolonged incarceration, and prison reform efforts including an essay on Mahatma Gandhi.
Justices Sarang Kotwal and Sandesh Patil, in their February 2 order, upheld the conviction for the 2016 POCSO case but ruled the life term excessive. The bench considered the convict's appeal against the special POCSO court's sentence.
At 20 years old during the offence, with no prior record, he has remained in custody since December 2016, denied release even during COVID-19. Certificates highlighted his engagement in jail education, including a Gandhi essay competition and study programme.
Balancing these against the crime's gravity, the court held: "In our opinion, the sentence of 12 years would meet the ends of justice." Time served sets off against the reduced term.
On December 9, 2016, the five-year-old victim fetched water at a neighbour's house when the accused assaulted her. She immediately told family, who confronted him before filing police complaint. Testifying at age eight, her account proved reliable, clear, and untutored, the HC found.
