A local court on Saturday sentenced to life all six accused for raping a Swiss woman, in a case from Jhadia village that had made headlines and shown India in poor light as a tourist destination.
Public Prosecutor Rajendra Tiwari said, “It was a good judgement that came early. Trial had started on March 30. All six accused were found guilty under Sections 376 (D) and 395 of the IPC and sentenced for life. A fine of `10,000 was also imposed on each, of which `50,000 would be paid to the victim.”
He added that one of the accused, Rampro, was additionally found guilty under Section 397 IPC and Sections 25, 27 of the Arms Act. He was sentenced to imprisonment of three years in both cases.
The Swiss woman (39), on a cycling trip along with her partner, was gang-raped in a forest of Datia on the night of March 15. The due was on their way back from Orchha, home to temples of lord Ram, and were proceeding to Agra when they were assaulted and looted.
The incident had triggered a public outcry, prompting several nations to issue travel advisory to their citizens for travel in India. Baba, Bhutha, Rampro, Gaza alias Brajesh, Vishnu Kanjar and Nitin Kanjar were all arrested within two days of the rape and the loot recovered from their possession.
When trial began, statements of the couple were recorded through video-conferencing from the Swiss Embassy in Delhi, since they were not ready to come to India. “We relied more on scientific evidence like DNA finger-printing, samples of hair and vaginal swab collected and examined,” said DIG of Chambal Range DK Arya.
“Since we have also seized the victim’s laptop and mobile and all these were recognised by her partner, they acted as strong evidence,” he added.