After the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court handed all six convicts in the 2017 actress sexual assault case 20 years rigorous imprisonment, the survivor’s lawyer said the quantum of punishment was not adequate.
Advocate Mini T.B. said in the 2011 case of a woman, 23, raped and murdered by Govindachamy, the convict was sentenced to life imprisonment till death. “This is even cruel and 20 years jail term is disappointing,” the lawyer was quoted as saying by Onmanorama.
After the court order, Special Public Prosecutor V. Aja Kumar said the sentencing is disappointing and sends a wrong message to society. “This is the least sentence that can be given for these charges. The prosecution will recommend that the state government filed an appeal in the case,” the prosecutor said.
Malayalam filmmaker Kamal said the survivor believes she has not received justice. “As long as she feels she has not received justice, it mean she has not received justice,” he said.
However, Kerala law minister P. Rajeev said people may not like the verdict, but it is based on the chargesheet filed by the investigation team and how the prosecution argued the case. “In this case, the first public prosecutor was appointed after consulting the survivor. All of them did great work,” he said.
How many years did the convicts get?
All six convicts were given 20 years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 50,000 fine for gang rape under IPC Section 376 D and criminal conspiracy under IPC Section 120 B. All of them were also sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 25,000 each for kidnapping the survivor under IPC Section 366.
The main accused, Pulsar Suni, was also sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh fine for recording the rape under IT Act Section 66E. He was also handed 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh fine under Section 67A for sharing the video.
Martin Antony, the second accused, was awarded 3 years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 25,000 fine for destroying evidence under IPC Section 201.
In total, Pulsur Suni was imposed a fine of Rs 3.25 lakh, Martin Antony Rs 1.5 lakh and the rest of the convicts Rs 1.25 lakh each. Of the total fine, Rs 5 lakh is to be handed over to the survivor. The court also ordered that actress’s gold ring, which was recovered as evidence, must be returned.
The time all the convicts spent in judicial custody, inquiry and trial will be deducted from their final sentence.
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