Man gets life term for raping deaf, mute woman with mental disabilities

A 55-year-old man has been awarded life imprisonment by a special court in Rajasthan's Tonk district for raping a 20-year-old mentally challenged deaf-and-mute woman with locomotor disabilities. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 1,25,000 on the convict.

The verdict was delivered by the special SC/ST court of Tonk. The man, named Ramlal, worked as a commission agent at brick kilns, and the survivor's house was under construction at the time of the incident.

He committed the heinous crime when the young woman was alone at her residence. However, during the incident, the young woman's mother and sister, who were initially away, suddenly reached home.

After they raised an alarm, the family's neighbours rushed there and overpowered Ramlal. He was later arrested by the police.

The court relied on 16 witnesses, 33 documents, and 5 articles, presented by the prosecution, to reach its verdict.

Due to her severe physical limitations, the survivor was brought to the court in a wheelchair by her parents.

Judge Aarti Maheshwari of the Tonk SC/ST court read out a self-penned poem as she pronounced the quantum of punishment for Ramlal.

The court has also ordered compensation for the survivor. The case highlights the need for swift judicial process in addressing crimes against vulnerable individuals.

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(Based on inputs from Manoj Tiwari)