HC upholds life sentence of man for raping daughter

The Delhi High Court has upheld the life sentence awarded by a trial court to a man for raping his daughter two years ago, saying it is not only a "loathsome sin, but also abhorrent".
Dismissing the appeal of Tek Bahadur alias Tekender Nath, a bench of justices P K Bhasin and Justice V P Vaish expressed anguish over the man's conduct and upheld the trial court's January 20, 2012 order sentencing him to life imprisonment.
"... The father is supposed to protect the dignity and honour of his daughter. This is a fundamental facet of human life. If the protector becomes the violator, the offence assumes a great degree of vulnerability.

"The sanctity of father and daughter relationship gets polluted. It becomes an unpardonable act. It is not only a loathsome sin, but also abhorrent," the bench said in a recent judgement.
"The case at hand is a sad reflection on the present day society where a most platonic relationship has been soiled by the pervert and degrading act of the father. The evidence on records clinchingly nails the appellant as the offender. In this case, the appellant's lustful acts have indelible scar not only physically but also emotionally on the victim. No sympathy or leniency is called for," the court further said.

According to the police, in March 2011, the victim had lodged a complaint at the Sarai Rohila Police Station alleging that her father has been raping her for past three years.
He had also raped her elder sister who had left the house due to his conduct, the girl said, adding that she had not disclosed about it due to the threats by her father.
In her complaint, the girl said her mother had died seven years ago and her elder brother has been staying separately with his wife and children.