Srinagar Acid Case: Prosecution seeks lifer for convict

SRINAGAR — A Srinagar Court on Tuesday reserved the judgment on the quantum of punishment in an acid attack case on a 24-year-old girl in Hawal area of Downtown Srinagar in 2022.

While referring to various provisions of law and Supreme Court judgments, the prosecution prayed for the life sentence for the convict.

The court has convicted the main accused Sajid Altaf Rather, son of Muhammad Altaf Rather and resident of Buchwara Dalgate and today, the case was listed for arguments on the quantum of punishment.

After hearing public prosecutor Ajaz Ahmad and defence counsel, the Court of Principal District Sessions Court, Srinagar, presided over by Jawad Ahmad reserved the judgment for Wednesday.

Mir Naveed Gul, Panel Lawyer representing the victim assigned by District Legal Services Authority, Srinagar, submitted that the victim has undergone 23 surgeries and more than Rs 48 lakhs have been utilized on her medical procedures. “Still, there is no hope if she would recover from the acid injuries and get her normal eye-sight back,” he pleaded.

He further submitted that the family of the victim has sold the residential house to meet the medical expenses, adding, “She deserves to be compensated besides awarding a life sentence to the convict. Justice should not only be done but it should be seen to have been done, which is a fundamental of principles of natural justice.”

“Prosecution has vehemently pleaded today for maximum punishment for the convict and referred relevant provisions of law and Supreme Court judgments to support its arguments,” advocate Gul said.

On February 2, 2022, Police arrested three persons, including the main accused, for throwing acid at a girl in the city. Police Station Nowhatta registered the case vide FIR number 8/22 after a 24-year-old girl in the Hawal area was attacked with acid.

As the case was heinous, the then SSP Srinagar immediately formed a special investigation team with the then SP North Raja Zuhaib as Chairman and SDPO Khanyar, SHO Nowhatta, SHO Safakadal and SHO Women Police Station as members. Police later arrested the main accused Sajid Altaf Rather.

As per the prosecution, the initial investigation revealed that Rather was having interest in the girl and since she had rejected his engagement proposal, he had been stalking her.