Life-imprisonment awarded in 11 yrs old child murder case in Jammu
Principal Sessions Judge Jammu Sanjay Parihar yesterday awarded life-imprisonment to one Tilak Raj for killing 11 years old child for rituals in Khandwal village under the jurisdiction of Satwari Police Station.
After hearing PP Suresh Sharma for the UT whereas Advocate Ashok Beotra for the accused, the court observed, “crime is a haunting shadow that lurks in the corners of society, casting a pervasive darkness that not only shatters lives but fractures the very foundation of our collective well-being. In this intricate tapestry of human existence, an act of crime threads a narrative of pain, fear and irreparable loss”.
“Beyond these courtroom walls, the repercussions reverberate, echoing in the hearts of victims and staining the conscience of a community. This court, thus, is placed at a unique junction of confronting such transgressions and molding its future. The gravity of this moment cannot be understated; it is the juncture where the rule of law is set out to achieve accountability and the trajectory of an individual`s life intersects with the destiny of a community”, the Principal Sessions Judge said.
“While the crime, particularly the tragic death of 11-year-old child is undeniably horrific, imposing rigorous life imprisonment without remission and fine of Rs lakh is envisioned as a measure to compel the offender to confront and reflect on the brutality of his actions”, the court said, adding “opting for this path rather than an expedient death penalty is rooted in the belief that true repentance and transformation can only be achieved through sustained contemplation and the opportunity for rehabilitation”.
“A comprehensive consideration of all factors, including mitigating circumstances, is thus, imperative in addressing the complexities of crime and punishment. In the case of the complexities inherent in crime and punishment, this court hopes that the accused, through the weight of this sentence, is compelled to confront the transgressions of his acts and embark on a path toward genuine remorse”, the Judge said, adding “in default of fine he shall face further imprisonment of one year. Besides out of the awarded fine amount, Rs 1.50 lakh be paid as compensation to the victim`s family”.
