Bihar resident convicted for rape of Srinagar minor after eight-year trial

SRINAGAR — A fast-track court in Srinagar has found a resident of Bihar guilty of kidnapping and raping a 15-year-old girl in the Habba Kadal area of Srinagar nearly eight years ago.

Renu Dogra Gupta, the 2nd Additional Sessions Judge presiding over rape cases in the fast-track court, delivered the verdict on Saturday. The court ruled that the prosecution had convincingly established its case with substantial evidence, leaving no room for doubt regarding the guilt of the accused.

The convicted individual, identified as Santosh Kumar Paswan, son of Saider Paswan and resident of Lalpora Bhim Nagar, Bihar, was found guilty of offenses punishable under Sections 363 and 376 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The court’s judgment stated that Paswan is liable to be convicted for these offenses.

The quantum of punishment for Paswan is expected to be announced by the court next week.

The case against Paswan was filed by the police following allegations of kidnapping and rape of the minor girl, whose identity has been withheld, in 2016.

According to the prosecution, the girl’s father filed a complaint with the Kralkhud Police Station on September 1, 2016, stating that Santosh Kumar Paswan, who had been working as a mason at their residence, had frequently visited their house. The complainant reported that his daughter had gone missing, leading him to suspect that she had been lured away.

During the search operation, the girl and the kidnapper were intercepted while riding a motorcycle near Humhama, heading towards the airport in suspicious circumstances. They were subsequently apprehended and brought to the Police post at Humhama, where the accused’s motorcycle and air tickets from Srinagar to Delhi were seized.

Medical examination of the victim revealed the presence of a fetus of approximately 10 weeks and 6 days in her womb, indicating sexual assault.

The prosecution asserted that Paswan took advantage of the girl’s minority and immaturity, establishing illegal relations with her during his visits to her home.