A court in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the gang rape and murder of a 21-year-old woman in June 2024. Devarakonda Vijay, 26, and Karanki Mahesh Babu, 24, were convicted under India's Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for gang rape and murder. Each was fined 20,000 rupees (£170). A third man, Devarakonda Srikanth, 24, was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 2,000 rupees (£15) after being found guilty of harbouring the offenders.
Details of the Attack
According to police, the victim left her home in Eepurupalem village on the morning of June 21, 2024. She was dragged into bushes near railway tracks behind a girls' high school, where the two men sexually assaulted her before murdering her and stealing her gold earrings. The victim's mother reported her missing, prompting a police investigation. The suspects were arrested the following day, and officers filed a chargesheet within the required timeframe.
Compensation and Justice
The court ordered the government to pay compensation of one million rupees (about £8,500) to the victim's family under a state victim compensation scheme. A police spokesman said the verdict demonstrated the force's commitment to securing swift justice in crimes against women and children through its 'Operation Dandayan' initiative.
Broader Context
The case comes amid continuing concern over violence against women in India. High-profile cases, such as the 2012 gang rape and murder of a student in Delhi and the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata in 2024, have sparked national outrage and protests, with calls for stronger protections for women.
