NCW member Nirmala Samant praises court sentencing of rape convicts

National Commission of Women (NCW) member Nirmala Samant on Friday praised a Mumbai court for handing down life terms to convicts involved in the rapes of two women last year.

"This was an expected verdict, and hence, we want to laud the Mumbai Police for the manner in which they presented the evidence and witnesses in order to strengthen the case against the culprits, which helped the court to take a right decision finally. When more such positive decisions come from the court, then it puts a brake on atrocities committed against women. Many a time, FIRs are registered, but people are not convicted. But in this case, a prompt FIR and a conviction took place," Samant said.

"We praise the victim who came ahead and lodged a complaint, (and) she spoke highly about the manner in which the media raised the case," Samant added.

Samant also expressed her happiness over the fact that the NCW could come forward right from when the incident occurred by providing mental as well as medical aid to the victim and also keeping tab on the progress of the case.

She was speaking after the Mumbai court had on Friday sentenced four convicts to life imprisonment for raping a photo-journalist and a telephone operator in the deserted Shakti Mills compound last year.