East Singhbhum Court Hands 20-Year Sentence in Gang Rape Case

The Chakulia gang rape case, which had sent shockwaves across Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district, reached its judicial conclusion today. ADJ-1 Kankan Patadhar sentenced the three primary accused—Maheshwar Mahto, Sujan Tudu, and Ajay Murmu—to two decades of rigorous imprisonment. The court found that the evidence against them was overwhelming, proving beyond a reasonable doubt that they had planned and executed the abduction and rape of a young woman in May 2023. In addition to the jail time, the court ordered each of the guilty parties to pay a penalty of ₹20,000. This fine is intended to serve as part of the legal retribution for the physical and mental trauma inflicted upon the survivor.

The background of the case traces back to a night in May last year when the victim was walking home from a fair. The three convicts cornered her near an under-construction building, forced her companion to flee under duress, and then took her to a deserted area near a river. The brutal nature of the crime led to widespread public outcry at the time. However, the efficient work of the Chakulia police station ensured that all suspects were apprehended within 24 hours of the report. During the sentencing, the judge emphasized that there would be no leniency for those who violate the dignity of women, ensuring that justice was finally served after a thorough legal process.