In a sensational gang-rape and acid attack case nearly nine years old, two BSF personnel have been convicted. The trial in the case, stemming from an incident in Mizoram in 2017, concluded and the verdict was delivered on Friday by Additional District and Sessions Judge Sylvie Z. Ralte of Mamit district.
The two convicted are Nilanjan Das and Dinesh Kumar. The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence on Tuesday.
According to information presented in court, on July 16, 2017, the victim and her friend had gone near a waterfall called Gachkata near the Silchar West Border Outpost in Mamit district. At that time, the two BSF personnel intercepted them.
As per initial details, when the victim’s friend stepped away briefly, Nilanjan Das and Dinesh Kumar gang-raped the woman. After that, they poured acid on her face, causing severe burns. The attack also caused the woman to temporarily lose her eyesight.
Later, locals rescued the woman and informed her family. Based on an FIR lodged by the victim’s brother, police launched an investigation on July 17. The medical report also confirmed sexual assault and acid attack.
After the incident, the victim was first taken to a local health centre and later admitted to Aizawl Civil Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the body of the victim’s friend, who was with her at the time of the incident, was later recovered near the scene. The body bore acid burn marks. Separate legal proceedings were also initiated regarding this incident.
During the investigation, police traced two personnel serving at the 181st BSF Battalion camp. After examining the duty roster, investigators found that both personnel were assigned to food supply-related duties on the day of the incident.
During an identification parade held on September 5, 2017, the victim identified Nilanjan Das and Dinesh Kumar as the attackers.
After a lengthy nine years, based on testimonies from 18 witnesses, doctors, and forensic experts, the court convicted the two accused BSF personnel. Notably, this is the first conviction in an acid attack-related case in Mizoram. The verdict in this long-discussed case signals a strengthening of legal action against such crimes in the state.
