German rape case: 5 get life term

Chandigarh, Jan 28: In what can be called as 'quick disposal of a rape case', a local court has sentenced five youths to life imprisonment for raping a 20 year old German girl on Wednesday, Jan 27.

A German tourist was abducted from outside a five star hotel in Chandigarh on September 28 by few youths and was gang raped in Haryana's Samalakha area. Pankaj Punia, Manvir Singh Jolly, Harpreet Singh Dalli, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi and Sompal were booked under abduction and gang rape case.

In a speedy trail which lasted for just a week, Additional District and Sessions Judge Raj Shekhar Attri gave life sentence to all the five youths involved in the case. Judge Raj Shekhar Attri said, "The charges have been proved beyond doubt. All accused are hereby convicted for gang rape, abduction and forgery.''

With these words the judge created a history of sorts as he decided the German rape case on only the eighth day of trial. The in-camera proceedings of the case were held on Jan 16-17. The recording of statement and cross-examination of the German girl was completed on Jan 17.
Through the three German interpreters help, the victims statement were recorded, as she spoke in German language. One of interpreter was from German Embassy.

The 20-year-old victim had accompanied by her father, had deposed before the court on Jan 16. She went back to her country on Jan 17.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)