Rape hits ‘safe’ Mumbai image

Mumbai: Justifying the decision to award death sentence to Sanap, judge Vrushali observed, “It (the incident) created a dent in the belief that Mumbai is a safe city for women. The fact that at LTT railway station or at any place in Mumbai young girls are not secure or safe but (can be) subjected to the most savage form of rape and murder was shocking to one and all.”

“Because of this case, security of women is again found (to be) in danger. The girl, who was an engineer working in TCS, staying independently, alighted at LTT railway station, went missing and her body was found in such a horrifying condition to her parents,” the judge noted.

The judgement also said this created a feeling of helplessness among parents, the women, and in every section of society.

The special court judge also said that Sanap didn’t commit the crime on the spur of the moment, but had pre-planned it. He took the girl to a deserted, forest area and the police could not reach there till they traced the mobile tower location, the judge said.

“The victim is not here to explain her pain... He committed the offence in order to satisfy his lust. He raped a defenceless lady and killed her life which is the ultimate insult to womanhood,” the court held.

According to the judge, Sanap, at 29, was not too young and it could not be a mitigating circumstance as he was fully aware of consequences of the act, the court said, dealing with the defence that his family depended on him so he should be spared the noose.

After coming out of court, Sanap broke down and while speaking to the media said, “I am innocent and falsely implicated. I never expected a death sentence.”

When asked if he met his daughter after the incident, he replied in the negative. He said that his mother wanted him to meet his daughter, but he did not want her to come to jail or court and hence did not meet her.

S. Jonathan Surendra Prasad, father of Esther, who was in Machilipatnam welcomed the verdict. He said that the death penalty to Sanap would instill fear among those who think of attempting such heinous crimes against women, in the future. He also thanked the people who expressed solidarity with his daughter by raising their voice against the incident and said he felt “indebted” towards the court, police and media persons who highlighted the issue.

Arun Kumar, Esther’s uncle, said, “We are satisfied that the court has awarded the death sentence to the convict. We were pursuing this case for society because for us all this is just a waste of time now, because we will not get our daughter back. But we wanted the court should give a harsh punishment to the culprit so that it sends out a strong message to society and nobody thinks of committing such crimes in future.”

Special public prosecutor Raja Thakre expressed satisfaction on the verdict and said that this would definitely send a strong message to likeminded people and prevent them from committing similar crimes. Defence lawyer Prakash Salsingikar said the judgement was bad in law and he would definitely file an appeal.