Delhi fast-track court punishes rape accused with 20 years rigorous punishment; Victim compensated with Rs 5 lakh

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State vs Mohd Masmudeen, etc In the court of the Additional Sessions Judge (Special Fast Track Court), North-west, Rohini, Delhi This was a rape case in which the two accused allegedly raped a 20-year-old woman near a jhuggi cluster on October 6, 2015. The victim alleged that the main accused, Abid, had raped her while his accomplice, Hasmuddin, stood guard. She added that after she yelled out, the men were driven by some women from the nearly huts. After examination of all evidence, cross-examination and witness testimonies, on February 12, 2018, the Special Fast Track Court found both men guilty of offence under section 376D of the Indian Penal Code. The judge held that Abid was also guilty of 506 IPC. On February 15, 2018, in the final hearing of the case, the court sentenced the two accused to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 20 years with a fine of Rs 10,000 each under Section 376D IPC. Abid was further sentenced for a period of one year of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 1,000 for offence under Section 506 Part-I, IPC. The court also awarded a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the victim to provide restorative and compensatory justice to her. It asked the Secretary, DLSA, North-west district, Delhi to ensure that the compensation was awarded within a month of the order.