65-year-old woman’s rapist-killer gets death penalty

Rajkot: Invoking Hindu scriptures that a soul finds peace only after justice is delivered, a court in Bhuj sentenced a 24-year-old man to death for the rape and murder of a 65-year-old woman, observing that a proper and effective judicial decision was necessary for the soul of the deceased to attain liberation. The convict Sachin Mavji, alias Mavo Kuvriya, had raped and murdered the woman on the intervening night of Feb 22 and 23, 2023, near the fringes of Ratadiya village. She was on way to a temple when Mavji kidnapped her on his bike.Special judge (Pocso) J A Thakkar ordered the convict ‘to be hanged by the neck till he is dead' after finding him guilty under IPC section 302 (murder), 376 (A) (rape resulting in death) and 364 (kidnapping)Prosection presented the clinching evidence of CCTV footage showing the victim riding pillion, postmortem report that confirmed death due to asphyxia caused by smothering, DNA profiling and the blood samples of the accused and victim which matched. The probe was done by Pragpar police station team.Assistant public prosecutor D J Thacker argued that the incident qualified as "rarest of rare" case considering the brutal, barbaric and completely unprovoked nature of the attack. The accused's actions demonstrated a depraved mindset and that he posed a grave threat to society, Thacker argued.The court stated, "According to Hindu scriptures, it is believed that the soul of a victim or deceased person, especially one who has suffered a cruel crime like murder, does not attain peace until a proper, just and effective judicial decision is made in the case. Only then can the soul receive true liberation and peace, as per our Hindu beliefs and traditions." The court in its order also noted that the victim was like a mother and the crime was commited on land considered pious due to blessings of Mata Ashapura and Amba Mata." How can such an incident involving a mother be taken lightly?," the judge noted. The court noted that in Hindu society, an elderly mother is considered the head of the household, akin to a divine presence. In many places, such elderly women are even worshipped. Furthermore, during family events, blessings are sought from these elderly women alongside deities. Despite being from a Hindu community, the accused committed such an act against this elderly woman.Women's safety flagged"Are elderly women not safe?" the special court wondered in its judgment, noting that such incidents raise troubling questions in ordinary families and often lead to restrictions on women's independence.The court observed that when crimes against women occur, families become fearful and hesitate to allow women to step out alone. This constant fear curtails women's freedom, forcing them to live under restrictions and preventing them from engaging in activities or work independently."When women's development is hindered in this way, the country's development is also stalled," the court said, adding that while women are regarded as symbols of strength, such incidents contradict that belief and cannot be taken lightly.