The survivor's family endured pressure and threats for over a year after filing the complaint...
Digital Desk: In a significant development, Ramdulare Gond, a BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh, has been sentenced to 25 years in jail for the rape of a minor that occurred in 2014. The survivor's family endured pressure and threats for over a year after filing the complaint, revealing the challenges faced in seeking justice.
Gond, a tribal MLA from the Duddhi Assembly constituency in Sonbhadra district, rose to political prominence through his wife, who served as the head of a village panchayat. Leveraging his local influence, he committed the heinous crime on November 4, 2014. The survivor's family complained to the Myorpur police station, initiating a legal battle that spanned nine years.
Despite the delay, justice prevailed as the MP-MLA court in Sonbhadra pronounced Gond guilty, sentencing him to 25 years rigorous imprisonment and imposing a ₹10 lakh fine. This amount is slated to be given to the survivor, marking a rare instance where the legal system acknowledges the impact on the victim.
Public prosecutor Satya Prakash Tripathi highlighted that Gond's conviction involved charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape and evidence tampering.
The survivor's family expressed satisfaction with the verdict, emphasizing the persistence required to overcome intimidation and secure justice. Gond's attempt to coerce them into withdrawing the case further underscores the challenges faced by survivors in pursuing legal action against influential perpetrators.
Beyond the individual consequences for Gond, his conviction triggers disqualification from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. This outcome, mandated by the Representation of the People Act, underscores the seriousness with which the legal system views crimes of this nature.
While the BJP's numerical standing in the Assembly remains unaffected, the disqualification renders the party susceptible to opposition criticism.
As the survivor and her family find closure with the court's decision, this case serves as a reminder of the endurance required to bring powerful individuals to justice and the importance of a legal system that addresses such heinous crimes.
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