Danish rape: Cops seek life term for all

New Delhi: Citing Sanskrit adages ' Atithi Devo Bhava' and ' Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devata' to emphasize on the importance of guests and women in Indian culture, Delhi Police on Thursday sought imprisonment till death for the five men convicted in the Danish woman gang rape case.
Additional public prosecutor Atul Shrivastava sought the strictest punishment for men, arguing that the offence was committed in a barbaric and inhuman manner.He said, "These men have spoilt the reputation of the country by doing such an act. A message should be sent that the rule of law prevails in India and wrong-doers will be dealt with an iron hand."
The lawyer of the convicts pleaded for leniency on the grounds that the men were young and could be reformed. However, the prosecutor said there is no chance of reformation as the convicts have a previous criminal record.
Additional sessions judge, Ramesh Kumar, will announce the quantum of punishment for the convicts on Friday.
On June 6, the court had convicted Mahender alias Ganja (25), Mohd Raja (25), Raju (23), Arjun (21) and Raju Chakka (30) for the offences under sections 376 (D) (gang rape), 395 (dacoity), 366(kidnapping), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of IPC. The sixth accused, 56-year-old Shyam Lal had died in February this year and proceedings against him were abated.