Srinagar, May 23: A fast track court in Jammu on Monday held two persons guilty of kidnapping and raping a 10th standard student in the winter capital in 2014.

According to prosecution the 15-year-old student was returning towards home on the fateful day when the accused namely Gharu Ram alias Bittu along with another accused Sunil Kumar alias Kokar forcefully kidnapped her daughter and put her in the Red colour Maruti Car. They later took her to an unknown place from the road of Gho Manhasan. Based on a complaint by the victim’s family police registered an FIR –18/2014— at Police station Domana Jammu. The girl was recovered from a jungle area while police later arrested the accused.

After investigation, police established offence under RPC sections 376 (rape), 363 (kidnapping) and 452 (house-trespass) while offences under section 363 (kidnapping) and 109 (abetment of offence). Subsequently a charge sheet was filed on 15 March 2014 against the accused persons where from the charge sheet was committed to the Court of Principal Sessions Judge, Jammu. Thereafter, the case was transferred to the Court of 3rd Additional Sessions Judge Jammu on 12 April 2014 and later on 25 May 2021 to fast track court for trial of rape cases.

After hearing both the sides, the Fast Track Court, presided over by Khalil Choudhary, convicted the accused, ruling that the evidence on record “unerringly point towards the guilt of the accused”. “There is a complete chain of events to indicate that within all human probability the crime was committed by the accused and all the circumstances brought on record and established are consistent with the guilt of the accused and inconsistent with his innocence,” the court said and held the accused, namely Gharu Ram alias Bittu son of Thoru Ram of Tikri Rakwala Jammu “squarely liable for the commission of house trespass, rape and kidnapping of the minor girl.”

“Thus, he is convicted for the offences under section 376(1)/363/452 RPC,” the court said as per the judgment which runs to 51 pages and a copy of which is with Global News Service. The 2nd accused— Sunil Kumar alias Kokar son of Rattan Lal of Dhai Chak Gho Manhasa was held “squarely liable for the commission of abetment for the kidnapping of the minor girl. Thus, he is convicted for the offences under 363/109 RPC.” The court also directed police to take Sunil Kumar alias Kokar into custody. The court has posted the matter for quantum of punishment tomorrow. gns