Rapist leaves scar on victim's psyche: Court

Noting that rape leaves a permanent scar on a woman’s chastity as well as her psyche, a local court has awarded seven-year rigorous imprisonment to a ‘tantrik’ for raping his 16-year-old niece.

“A rapist not only causes physical injuries but more indelibly leaves a scar on the most cherished possession of a woman i.e. her dignity, honour, reputation and, not the least, her chastity,” Additional Sessions Judge Vijay Kumar Dahiya said while awarding the punishment to 57-year-old Mahesh Goel on Saturday.

Dahiya said sexual violence degraded and humiliated the victim and left behind a traumatic experience.

Relying upon the statement of the victim and other witnesses, the court held Goel guilty for the offence of kidnapping or abducting and raping a minor girl.

The court said the offence committed by the convict was more serious in nature and that he has ruined the victim’s life by committing immoral acts of highest order.

“It is evident that the convict treated the victim only as an object to fulfill his sexual desire. The offence committed by the convict is too heinous and, therefore, he does not deserve any leniency,” the court said.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs 12,000 against the accused. In a complaint lodged in December 2010, the girl’s father has said that his daughter was missing for more than 10 days and suspected Goel of kidnapping her.

The police later rescued the girl and arrested Goel. The girl said that Goel, who was her maternal uncle, raped her on the pretext of curing her from the influence of supernatural forces.