Ganderbal, June 8: A local court on Wednesday sentenced a youth for seven years rigorous imprisonment for raping a girl in 2002. 
 The Principal Session Judge Ganderbal, Muhammad Shafi Khan sentenced Sameem Ashraf Bazaz of Umar Hair Buchpora for 8-years rigorous imprisonment after the charges under section 376 and 323 were proved against him.   
 The Public Prosecutor Ghulam Jeelani argued that the accused had offered lift to the victim on April 13, 2002 while she was waiting for a bus, at Beehama Ganderbal. 
 “The accused sexually assaulted the victim and he deserves to be dealt with severely and awarded sentence of life imprisonment under section 376 RPC. Besides appropriate sentence should be awarded for an offence of 323 RPC. The rape against the woman does not only hurt the emotions and chastity of the victim, but it also hurts emotions of the society,” the Public Prosecutor argued.  
A case (FIR No 44/2002) was registered against the accused in Police Station Ganderbal.
The defence lawyer argued that there is no corroborative evidence against the accused. He said the accused has been acquitted under section 366 and deserves lesser punishment.
After hearing the arguments, the Principal Session Judge stated, “I am of the opinion that Courts of Criminal Justice must remain alive to the fact in cases of rape, no lady/girl would come forward in a Court to make a humiliating statement herself.  It can’t however be overlooked that lady having some kind of acquaintance with the accused would be sexual harassment/assault by the accused without her consent. Had she been consented party she would not have reported the matter to the police.” 
The Court sentenced the convict to seven years rigorous imprisonment under section 376 and a fine of Rs 50,000 besides further simple imprisonment of three months, if case he fails to pay the fine. 

Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST