STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a precedent-setting decision, the Principal Sessions Judge Srinagar, Jawad Ahmed, delivered a resolute judgment in a highly publicized acid attack case, sentencing Irshad Amin Wani and Umer Noor to life imprisonment and imposing a substantial fine of Rs 5 lakhs on each convict. The ruling comes as a response to their involvement in a brutal acid attack that left the victim permanently scarred, both physically and emotionally.
The court’s verdict, handed down after careful consideration of the prosecution’s arguments presented by Special Public Prosecutor Abdul Aziz Teeli, has garnered attention for its emphasis on the victim’s enduring suffering and the need for justice to be served. Advocates Malik Ahmed and Yawar Khan represented the accused during the trial.
While recognizing the potential for rehabilitation and personal growth of the young convicts, Judge Jawad Ahmed underscored the irreversible impact of their heinous act on the victim. The scars, both visible and psychological, will forever serve as a haunting reminder of the attack that altered the trajectory of her life.
The court’s verdict underscores a balanced approach, taking into account the victims ordeal and the convicts prospects for change. The Judge highlighted the convicts harmful and hateful mentality and their readiness to conspire and execute such a reprehensible act due to envy and jealousy. Consequently, the court determined that reintegration of such individuals into society is untenable. Judge Ahmed’s ruling outlined the severity of the offense and the profound impact on the victim, leading to the imposition of life imprisonment and a substantial fine of Rs 5 lakhs on both convicts for their offense under Section 326-A of the Ranbir Penal Code, coupled with Section 120-B. The court also handed down a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs 25,000 for the offense of criminal conspiracy (Section 120-B RPC). Concurrent sentences were ordered for multiple offenses.
Furthermore, the court’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victim extended to recommending the victim’s case to the Member Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Service Authority for maximum compensation in line with the J&K Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019.
The case record is slated to be submitted to the High Court, in accordance with legal procedures, for confirmation of the life imprisonment sentence. The convicts, Irshad Amin Wani and Umer Noor, have been informed of their right to appeal against the judgment and sentence order.
This landmark verdict not only sets a precedent for addressing acid attacks with unwavering severity but also highlights the judiciary’s dedication to safeguarding victims’ rights and delivering justice that resonates with the gravity of the crime.
