Delhi: Tutor gets 10 yrs in jail for raping minor

New Delhi: A tutor has been sentenced to 10 years in jail by a court for raping a minor student, with the judge ruing that the convict has shattered the society's faith in the "sanctity of the noble profession of teaching" by his "dastardly act." Additional Sessions Judge Vijay Kumar Dahiya jailed convict Hari Shankar Kumar saying the offence committed by him is "serious in nature" and he ruined the victim's life.

"Accused Hari was victim's tutor and he has ravished her. The act of Hari is a stigma on the face of the institution of teaching. In Indian culture, teacher (guru) is always held in high esteem and so much reverence is given to this noble profession that if a person is standing before God and his teacher, he will first pay obeisance to the latter. The dastardly act committed by Hari has brought bad name to the institution of learning and he has shattered the belief of the society in the sanctity of the noble profession of teaching," the court said and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the convict, stipulating that, if recovered, the amount shall be given to the victim.

West Delhi resident Hari was arrested by Najafgarh police on the complaint of the victim's father that his 13-year-old daughter, studying in Class VI, has been raped by the accused on July 23, 2011 while he and his wife were not at home. The victim's father had told the police that his daughter and sons used to take tuitions from the accused, but on the fateful day Hari had sent his sons outside the house and raped his daughter.

The counsel for Hari had sought relief saying the convict is the only bread winner for his family including wife and two children. He had sought leniency saying his client has been in jail since his arrests in July, 2011 and he should be released on the term already undergone by him during the trial. Brushing aside the accused counsel's pleas, the court said, "The offence committed by Hari is more serious in nature and he, in total disregard to moral and social values, ruined victim's life by committing the immoral act of highest order."

"It is evident that convict treated the prosecutrix only as an object to fulfil his sexual desire. The offence of rape is barbaric in nature where the victim is ravished like an animal for the fulfillment of desire and lust of another man," the judge said, adding that the accused does not deserve any mercy.