District and Session Judge Kumkum Rani sentenced Harpal to three and half years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5000 under section 376/ 511 the Indian Penal Code in an attempted rape case. He will have to undergo additional two months imprisonment on failing to pay the penalty.
While co-accused Jeetendra was sentenced to one month imprisonment and Rs 1500 penalty under section 354 IPC in the camp court at Kotdwar on Tuesday, The case of the second co-accused was transferred to juvenile court.
According to the District Government Councilor (Criminal) KP Dangwal, on May 29, 2011, three girls were going to appear in BA part one examination, which was scheduled to take place at Pattotiyia centre on May 30, from their village Nainidanda. When they reached near Ugaliyatanda, three boys, including Harpal and Jeetendra, going on a motorbike suddenly stopped. Harpal reportedly caught one of the girls and forcefully dragged her to nearby culvert where he allegedly attempted to rape her while while his two accomplices caught hold of the two other girls and gagged them.