Jammu & Kashmir fast track court sentences sub-judge to 10 years in jail for rape

A Jammu and Kashmir fast track court on Saturday sentenced a judicial officer to ten years in jail for raping a woman (State through SHO Police Station Janipur, Jammu V/s Rajesh Kumar Abrol).

Presiding officer of fast track court at Jammu, Khalil Choudhary, also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on the convict Rajesh Kumar Abrol, a sub-judge.

Further, Abrol was also sentenced to seven years imprisonment along with a fine of ₹20,000 for the offence of cheating.

Both the sentences will run concurrently, the Court ruled.

"The accused is sentenced to simple imprisonment for seven years for commission of the offence under section 420 RPC and fine of ₹20,000 and rigorous imprisonment for ten years for the commission of the offence under section 376 (2) (k) RPC and fine of ₹50,000 only and in default of the payment of fines, convict has to undergo further imprisonment for a period of three months in each offence," the order said.

Earlier, the Court had convicted Abrol for offences under Sections 420 (cheating) and 376(2)(K) [rape] of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) on October 21 and deferred the matter for today to hear arguments on quantum of sentence.

The counsel for the accused prayed today that a lenient view be taken in the matter in view of the fact that the accused is a judicial officer and a first time offender.

The Court said that it is not only the duty of the court, but social and legal obligations are clearly enjoined upon it to impose adequate punishment according to law while taking into consideration not only the crime but also the criminal.

"It is court's accountability to remind itself about its role and reverence for rule of law. It must evince the rationalized judicial discretion and not an individual perception or a moral propensity. But, if in an ultimate eventuate the proper sentence is not awarded, the fundamental grammar of sentencing is guillotined. Law can not tolerate it. Society does not withstand it and sanctity of concise abhors", the Court said while imposing the sentence.

[Read Order]