A special court had, in March this year, acquitted three persons and convicted one in the gang rape case.
Accused Ramu, Lavkush and Ravi were acquitted while accused Sandeep was convicted for the offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and for offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and sentenced to life imprisonment.
In their plea before the Supreme Court, the victims said that the perpetrators of the offence were members of the dominant community.
The victim’s family pointed out that since they belong to a socially and economically prejudiced community, they could face further untoward social ramifications.
The family relied on sections 15A and 21(III) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act which provide for protection of the rights of victims and witnesses including but not limited to ‘relocation’ within the State.
Source: Barandbench
