2 yrs after minor’s rape in Lucknow, two get 10-yr RI

Additional Sessions Judge Anirudh Singh also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 each—Rs 10,000 for rape and Rs 5,000 for kidnapping—on the accused, Aman Bakshi and Bhartendu Mishra.

Speaking to The Indian Express, the victim’s father Sabruddin said the judgment had given him a ray of hope as the trail of four other accused is still pending. “Our family members are happy with the judgment,” said Sabruddin.

“The judgment would definitely be a lesson for others,” said All India Democratic Women’s Organisation state Secretary Madhu Garg, who was present in court along with the founder of Sajhi Duniya Roop, Rekha Verma.

The Ashiana rape case dates back to May 2, 2005, when a 13-year-old girl was abducted from Ashiana colony and gangraped by six youths in a moving car. During the interrogation of a 19-year-old boy (presently lodged in district jail), it was revealed there were six persons involved in the crime. Among them, the prime accused was the nephew of former Samajwadi Party MLC Aruna Shankar Shukla alias Anna. The others came from leading business families. Barring Mishra and Bakshi, the other accused were declared juveniles and their hearing was transferred to a juvenile court.

Meanwhile, family members of the accused misbehaved with mediapersons who were taking pictures of Mishra and Bakshi. They held the media responsible for portraying a negative image of the two.