18 September,2012 07:50 AM IST | | A Correspondent
The Bombay High Court confirmed the death sentence for two men who had raped and murdered 22-year-old call centre employee Jyotikumari Chaudhari in Pune. The court observed that the severity of the crime and the impact it left on society were factors that placed the crime in the ârarest of rare' categories.
Crime scene: The hillock in Tukai area where the victim was gang raped by Purushottam Borate and his friend Yashwant Kokade. File pic
The court noted that Chaudhari's murder was âwell-planned' by men in whom she had âfull faith and trust'. The court upheld the Pune Sessions Court judgment sentencing the duo to death after taking into account the brutality of the crime.
Last week, the court had upheld the guilty verdict for both men, who are charged with rape, murder and criminal conspiracy. The division bench of Justices VM Kanade and PD Kode observed, "We are confirming the death sentence awarded by the Sessions Court. The manner in which the offence was committed and the deep impact it has had on the society have been considered by us. Any woman will now think twice before taking a cab alone."
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Speaking to the media after the verdict, the victim's brother-in-law Shishir Pundalik said, "Nothing can be done to bring her back, but I hope this verdict proves to be a deterrent for
others."
The two accused, Purushottam Borate (31) and his friend Yashwant Kokade (25) broke down after the verdict. Their lawyers are yet to decide whether to appeal the verdict in Supreme Court.
The court through the Chief Justice will now frame guidelines to be observed by all companies to ensure the safety of women. Chief Public Prosecutor Revati Mohite-Dere argued that the crime committed by Borate and Kokade had shocked the consciousness of society and had made women fear for their safety.u00a0