The Delhi High Court has directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to hand over an emotional message written by the trial judge to a child survivor in a POCSO case, along with the compensation awarded to her.
A Division Bench of Justices Pratibha M Singh and Dinesh Bhatt passed the direction on September 29 while hearing an appeal filed by the convict against his conviction and an application seeking suspension of his sentence.
The child was seven years old when the incident took place on July 23, 2023, and is now around 10 years old. The High Court said the message written for her by the trial court was intended as encouragement and directed the DLSA Secretary to print and deliver it to the survivor or her family within two weeks.
The letter was written by trial court judge Rajani Ranga in the May 20 judgment convicting the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Addressing the child directly, the trial judge told her that the court had heard her and acknowledged the courage she showed in coming to court, identifying the person who had harmed her and speaking about what had happened.
The message also encouraged her to move forward with her life, attend school, make friends, laugh, play and dream, while telling her that the court would remember her courage.
Convict Sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment for Life
The trial court found the accused guilty of aggravated penetrative sexual assault on the child and criminal intimidation.
On July 11, the court sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for life and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
It also awarded final compensation of Rs 10.5 lakh to the child and her family.
High Court Declines to Suspend Sentence
While considering the convict’s plea for suspension of sentence, the High Court declined to grant relief at this stage.
The Bench said that, after considering the evidence in the case, including forensic evidence, it was not inclined to suspend the sentence.
The High Court has sought documents relating to the period already spent by the convict in custody. It has also directed him to file an affidavit disclosing his previous criminal antecedents.
The matter will next be heard on January 20, 2027.
