Srinagar, June 11, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the High Court Bar Association has expressed its dissatisfaction over the sentence passed by a Pathankot court against the culprits involved in kidnapping, drugging, gang-raping and killing of an eight-year-old Muslim girl, Asifa, by Hindu communalists in Kathua area of Jammu.
The High Court Bar Association in a statement issued after a meeting in Srinagar said three culprits deserved a death penalty for having committed a dastardly act but the court has awarded them lenient punishment of life imprisonment for no obvious reason.
The court also sentenced other three persons five years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5000, although, they being part of the conspiracy and being police officials deserved maximum punishment prescribed by Section 201 and 343 Ranbir Penal Code. The Court also acquitted Vishal Jangotra, the son of Sanjhi Ram, the mastermind, by giving him the benefit of doubt, to which he was not entitled under law, the statement added.
“However, notwithstanding the aforesaid lenient punishment awarded to the accused persons, the judgment pronounced by the Kathua court is a slap in the face of all those, trying to communalize the crime and besides vilifying the victim, came out openly in support of the accused persons.”
“The verdict is also bound to prevent others from committing such like acts on hapless victims and will also work as a deterrent against those, who derive pleasure in committing such beastly acts,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Bar Association expressed its grief over the sad demise of Late Syed Andrabi, Advocate, who passed on 9th of June, 2019 at his Hyderpora residence after a brief illness.
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