Three accused in 2012 judges assault case get 10 years jail

A court here has sentenced three convicts to 10 years rigorous imprisonment for assaulting three trial court judges in 2012 road rage case, noting that judges are "vulnerable to murderous assaults for their verdicts which always go against one of the parties in a case".

Additional Sessions Judge R. K. Tripathi said: "The act of the convicts has shaken the conscience of society and wrongful act of the convicts sends the message that nobody is safe."

"Judges are more vulnerable to attacks as they pass judgement which may be in favour of a party or not," the court said observing that aggrieved party may have grudge against a judge and may target him whenever they find a chance.

The court in a order delivered last week sentenced Anil Raj, Prashant and Rohit, who were convicted under various charges dealing with attempt to murder and assault on public servant to deter him from discharge of duty under Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The convicts were facing trial for attacking then three judges in Saket district court - Ajay Garg, M. K. Nagpal and Inderjeet Singh and hit the rear window of the judges' car near Dakshinpuri in south Delhi in May 2012.

Police has said that the the convicts attacked the judges car after seeing a "judge" sticker on the vehicle. The judges were going to their home to Faridabad.

"It is a matter of grave concern that despite seeing the sticker of judges on the car and knowing fully well that they are judges, they (convicts) did not show any sign of respect or restraint, rather became more violent and aggressive," the court said.

--IANS

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