The court expressed anguish and displeasure that the two factory workers who saw the accused, instead of "objecting to the conduct", ran away from the premises leaving the 14-year-old victim at his mercy and the Delhi police also did not prefer to inquire about their "indifferent approach".
"Of late crime against women generally and rape in particular is on the increase and ironically society appears to be unconcerned, showing little or no concern for honour of women. It is this kind of a public apathy and indifference which is grossly criminal," Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Kamini Lau said.
The court said it was "shocking" that the two factory workers ran away from the spot and informed their owner about the incident much later to evade their culpability.
"Public alertness with a suitable timely response can go a long way to save the life and honour of young girls which unfortunately did not happen in the present case," the judge said.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 52,000 on convict Aditya, 20, a resident of Pitampura Village in North-West Delhi, saying that on recovery of the amount, it shall be given to the victim.
The judge said the amount of compensation will be used for rehabilitation of the victim and directed the Delhi government to take steps to ensure that she is admitted in some school to continue her studies.
According to the police, Aditya caught hold of the girl when she was returning from her school and forcibly took her inside an adjoining plastic factory. (More)
