The VI Additional District and Sessions Judge S.H. Pushpanjali Devi has sentenced a 25-year-old man for the remainder of his life on finding him guilty of raping and murdering a 22-year old teachers’ trainee near Baltila village in Bantwal taluk.
The Judge ordered Satish to undergo rigorous life imprisonment for the remainder of his life. Apart from directing Satish to pay a compensation of Rs. 30,000 to the parents of the deceased, the court directed the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority to pay maximum compensation to the parents of the deceased under the Victim Compensation Scheme.
Satish has been found to have raped the girl when she was walking back to her house on February 25, 2013. He was also found guilty of murdering her by dragging her to a lake by the roadside.
Security for womenIn this case, which raised questions on the security of women, witnesses came forward to support the case of the prosecution.
Among the 26 witnesses examined included anganwadi teacher Lucy Sequeira and local resident Devaki, who had heard the victim’s call for help.
Another resident Monappa Poojary who had seen Satish return from the lake with wet clothes, and worker Mohan P.S. who was close to the scene of offence, also gave evidence.
The judge convicted Satish under Sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 392 (robbery) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code. The girl’s father, who was outside the court hall, said he was happy with the court’s order.
“I am glad that the offender is imprisoned for life. I do not want any more girls to be his victims,” he said.
Mr. Mohan, who had accompanied the girl’s father, said the incident shook many of the residents.
“We do not want any more such incidents. We were a bit worried of our prospects of Satish getting out of the prison. We are relieved hearing the sentence,” he said.
