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Directs DLSA to Hand Over 's Message to 10-Year-Old POCSO Survivor
In a remarkable fusion of legal rigor and human compassion, the has directed the to print and personally deliver to a 10-year-old POCSO survivor the heartfelt message penned by the trial judge who convicted her abuser. The direction came during the hearing of an filed by the convict, Sumit Shakya, challenging his .
A Judge's Words of Courage
What sets this case apart is the extraordinary appended to the by Additional Sessions Judge Rajani Ranga. Addressing the child directly as "Beta," she wrote:
"This Court heard you. When you said 'Jab tak uncle buddhe na ho jaaye, tab tak unhe jail mein hi Rakha jaaye', this Court listened. And this Court has answered your plea. Today, this Court has ordered that the man you called 'uncle' will never walk free again. He will live in a cage for the rest of his life. He will grow old in that cage. He will die in that cage."
The judge continued with words of encouragement:
"This Court cannot give you back your childhood. But Court can promise you that your words have been heard... Now, beta, live your life. Go to school. Make friends. Laugh. Play. Dream. This Court will always remember your courage."
The Crime and Conviction
The case stems from an incident on , when the survivor was just seven years old. The convicted Shakya for under the and for under the . The judge sentenced him to —meaning imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life—and imposed a fine of ₹1,00,000 for the POCSO offence, along with five years' rigorous imprisonment for . Additionally, the awarded ₹10,50,000 as to the child victim, recognizing the lifelong impact of the crime.
High Court's Compassionate Directive
When the matter reached the of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Dinesh Bhatt, the judges noted that the survivor, now 10 years old, deserved to receive both the and the judge's empowering words. The court directed the Secretary of DLSA, North-West, Delhi, to print the message and hand it over to the survivor or her family within two weeks, alongside the . The High Court also issued notice in the and sought a status report from DLSA regarding the disbursement.
Admitted, Bail Denied
The court admitted the
under
. However, it declined to
pending
, noting the strength of the evidence, including
.
"Considering the evidence in this matter, including the
, at this stage, the Court is not inclined to
,"
the bench observed.
Key Observations
The High Court emphasized the 's message as one of encouragement, recognizing the child's plea that the convict should remain in jail until he grows old. The court's direction ensures that the survivor receives not only financial but also the moral reassurance that her voice was heard and her plea granted.
Looking Ahead
This case highlights the judiciary's evolving approach to dealing with child sexual abuse victims—balancing strict punishment for offenders with restorative measures for survivors. The personal message from the trial judge, now officially endorsed by the High Court, serves as a powerful tool for healing, reminding the child that the justice system stands with her. The matter will be next heard on , for the DLSA status report, and the main is listed for .
