All the four convicts in July 20, 2007 Tabinda Gani gangrape and murder case was awarded death penalty by a local court on Friday.Earlier, the victim’s family had demanded nothing less than capital punishment, the convicts--Sadiq Mir alias Sadiq Choor, Azhar Mir alias Bilal both residents of Langate, Jehangir Bihari of West Bengal, a carpenter by profession and Suresh Mochi, a cobbler -- have begged for mercy before Principal District and Sessions Judge Kupwara Muhammad Ibrahim Wani who held them guilty of gang-rape and “cold blooded” murder of a defenseless and innocent 13-year-old girl from Batapora Langate area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.Stating that convicts should be hanged till death, the court in its judgment said that there is “no scope for sympathy” for their barbaric crime and pressed that “some crimes are so outrageous that the society also demands strict punishment”. Tabinda Gani Shah, a class 8th student, was found dead in an orchard in Langate area in July 20, 2007 after her abduction. Medical reports had confirmed that the abductors had raped her before slitting her throat.
Following the incident, Kashmir witnessed massive street protests with people demanding capital punishment for the culprits. Police later arrested four accused including two non-locals and a local residents of Langate. The accused confessed to the crime during interrogation. The family was awaiting justice for last 8 years.“It was a strong and proved case and I am hopeful that even High Court will confirm the conviction in case the the convicts approach to it. For confirmation of the conviction, the court of Principal and District Sessions Judge Kupwara will send a copy to State High Court. The Convicts have three months time to appeal before the High Court. I am sure and hopeful that the High Court will confirm the conviction and the convicts will be hanged till death in the coming three months,” the Public Prosecutor G.M.Shah told CNS.The victim’s parents, who had been demanding death sentence for the convicts said that they were jubilant but very sad that over the loss of their innocent child. “Justice will only be said to be done when all of them are hanged. Why should they be given a chance to appeal before the High Court, when they didn’t think twice before assaulting our only daughter?” they questioned. (CNS)