2 Sentenced To Death For Gangrape-Murder Case Of 8-Year-Old Dalit Girl In Bihar

Madhubani Gangrape Case: A court in Bihar has sentenced two men to death for the gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old Dalit girl in Madhubani. The convicts were found guilty under sections 366(A), 376(D), 302/34, 4/6 of the POCSO Act, and 3(2)(V) of the SC/ST Act. They were also fined Rs 1.2 lakh each in the case pertains to a village in the Jaynagar police station area.

On June 23, 2023, the victim's father, Raj Kumar Saday, filed a complaint at the Jaynagar police station, reporting his eight-year-old daughter missing after she went out to play near their home. After an extensive search yielded no results, a case was registered under sections 363, 366(A), 302, 376(DB), 201, 4/6 of the POCSO Act, and the SC/ST Act.

Investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Gopal Krishna, arrested the primary accused, Sushil Rai, and co-accused Om Kumar Jha (son of Munna Jha, resident of Sakin Parsa, Jaynagar, Madhubani). They were charged with kidnapping, gang-rape, murder, and destruction of evidence.

Police Investigation

Investigators informed the court that the accused gang-raped the girl and then strangled her with a piece of cloth. The child's body was recovered hidden under broken asbestos sheets in a room in the dilapidated Koshy Colony. The police also seized the accused's clothes, a mobile phone, blood-stained soil, and the red cloth used in the murder as evidence from the crime scene.

Forensic examination and DNA tests were conducted to gather evidence. Statements of 18 witnesses were recorded in court, leading to the framing of charges against the accused.

Court Verdict

Special Judge Syed Mohammad Falalul Bari (ADJ-1) of the SC/ST and POCSO court found both accused guilty under all charges and sentenced them to death. He described the crime as "heinous".

Special Public Prosecutor (PP) Sapan Kumar Singh represented the prosecution, while Amit Kumar, a legal aid lawyer, defended the accused. Victim's family has expressed relief and renewed faith in the judiciary following the sentencing.

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