: The judgment of the District and Sessions Court sentencing the accused in the Manipal gangrape case to life and two others for destroying evidence to three years of rigorous imprisonment has been welcomed by many people here on Thursday.
While some questioned the delay, others said lessons would be learnt from it. H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor of Manipal University, told The Hindu that he was happy with the judgment, but there was too much delay given the incident had taken place in June, 2013.
The authorities assured to fast-track the case. But it took nearly two years and three months for the judgment to come. “But finally it has come. It is a good verdict. I hope it will act as a deterrent,” he said.
Nandini Lakshmikantha, Director of School of Communication, Manipal University, said she welcomed the verdict. “Since the accused have been sentenced to life, they will regret their wrong deeds throughout their lives. It is necessary to treat and respect a woman as a human being. It is a well-justified and thought out judgment,” she said.
Vaidehi, writer and Chairperson of Dr. T.M.A. Pai Chair for Indian Literature, Manipal University, said the verdict would be a lesson for others.
“It will be an eye-opener. It will send a message that such uncivil acts are unacceptable,” she said.
Writer Madhvi Bhandary said she had no doubt in her mind that the verdict would send a stern message. It is a strong verdict. “But sometimes I wonder if public memory is short, when such acts get repeated. Nevertheless, I feel this verdict has sent a right message to the society,” she said.
