Sachhakhera gang-rape: 2 get life term

Almost four months after a teenage girl killed herself after being gang-raped by two youths in Sachhakhera village, a local court today sentenced the main accused and his accomplice to life imprisonment.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Jind R N Bharati also slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 each on Pradeep and Sandeep.
The case had grabbed news headlines and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi also visited the village to meet the victim's parents.
The third accused is a minor and is being tried in a juvenile court.
The court had held the two youths guilty on Monday, while acquitting the brother and sister-in-law of Pradeep--Manoj and Meena-- for want of sufficient evidence against them.

According to the prosecution, before her death, the victim had given a statement to a magistrate.

According to her statement, on October 6, 2012, the victim was walking past her neighbour Pradeep's house when he pulled her in. She was then locked in a room along with Pradeep and her minor neighbour by their friend Sandeep.
"In the room, Pradeep and the juvenile raped her. After the crime, the girl went to her uncle's house and set herself on fire," said the statement.
The girl's family had also accused Pradeep's brother and sister-in-law of helping the accused in the crime.

On the basis of the girl's statement, a case was registered against Pradeep, Sandeep, the juvenile, Manoj and Meena.