Gang rape victim's family unhappy over minor's light punishment

The family of the 23-year-old physiotherapy intern who was gang-raped in a moving bus Dec 16, 2012 here, Saturday expressed dissatisfaction over the "light" punishment handed to the juvenile accused by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) Saturday.

"I was hoping that the juvenile accused will be given life imprisonment, but he was given only three years (in special home). I am not happy with the judgment of the Juvenile Justice Board," said the victim's father.

"I will approach the high court seeking life imprisonment for the juvenile accused," he added.

The decision is of no value for us as the accused will get freedom after three years in spite of his brutal act, he said.

"The court by giving a lighter punishment of three years has actually encouraged the other juveniles to commit crime. The law must be changed," said the father.

"For last two months, we had to return three times from the juvenile court because the judgment was reserved every time. We are hoping for life imprisonment to the accused today (Saturday). But, after the decision our hope is fading," he added.

Victim's mother also said: "We do not agree with the decision. Only three years of punishment at the juvenile home is simply not done. We will approach the higher court."

The Juvenile Justice Board, presided over by Principal Magistrate Geetanjali Goel, sentenced the lone minor accused to a three-year stay in a special home. The boy, who was 17-and-half years old at the time of the incident, has turned 18.

Four other accused are facing separate trial in a fast track court. One accused was found dead in jail, having allegedly committed suicide.