Kathua rape and murder case: Three accused sentenced to life imprisonment, three policemen get five years jail term

A seventh accused, namely Vishal — son of main accused Sanji Ram — was acquitted by the court, giving him the ‘benefit of doubt’, said Farooqi Khan, who represented the victim’s family in the court.

The court pronounced its much-awaited verdict away from the gaze of media which has gathered outside the premises.

Sanji Ram, the caretaker of the temple where the crime took place, Special Police Officer Deepak Khajuria and Parvesh Kumar, a civilian, have been convicted under Ranbir Penal Code sections pertaining to criminal conspiracy, murder, gangrape and destruction of evidence, the lawyers said.

Two police officials — Sub Inspector Anand Dutta and Head Constable Tilak Raj –and a special police officer Surender Verma have been convicted for destruction of evidence, they said.