In a landmark decision, a sessions court in Patna has sentenced Rajneesh Kumar Pandey to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for the rape of his sister-in-law. The incident, which occurred 16 years ago, shocked the local community and has now reached a conclusion after a lengthy trial.The court found Pandey guilty of sexually assaulting the woman under the false promise of marriage. Along with the 10-year prison sentence, the accused was ordered to pay a fine of ₹15,000. If he fails to pay the fine, he will face an additional sentence of two-and-a-half years in prison.Accuseds deceptive tactics revealedAssistant Public Prosecutor Arvind Kumar Sinha stated that Pandey misled the victim, leading her to believe that they would marry. When the victim became pregnant, Pandey abandoned her and refused to take responsibility. This led to the woman filing a police complaint in 2008, triggering an investigation and trial.District and Additional Sessions Judge (First) Sangam Singh also directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of Patna to provide financial compensation to the victim, emphasising the need for support to victims of sexual violence.Significance of the judgmentThe case serves as a reminder of the importance of justice for women and the legal systems role in holding perpetrators accountable, no matter how much time has passed. This verdict offers closure to the victim and underscores the commitment of the judiciary to address long-pending cases of sexual violence.
