In a significant development in the infamous 1992 Ajmer sex scandal case, six more men have been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court. The case, which shook the city, involved a gang of 18 members who preyed on over 100 young girls, subjecting them to rape and blackmail.
The POCSO court judge, Ranjan Singh, handed down the life sentences to Nafees Chishti, Naseem alias Tarzan, Salim Chishti, Iqbal Bhati, Sohail Gani, and Sayed Zameer Hussain. Each of the convicted men was also fined ₹5 lakh.
According to the prosecution counsel, Virendra Singh, the gang targeted school and college-going girls between the ages of 11 and 20. They would befriend the girls, lure them into compromising situations, take photographs, and then use these images to blackmail them into sexual encounters. The victims, who attended a prominent private school in Ajmer, were often taken to a farmhouse where the crimes were committed.
The case saw two separate chargesheets filed. The first chargesheet, filed against 12 accused, led to a series of trials and convictions. Among those convicted, Jahur Chishti was found guilty under Section 377 (unnatural sex) and his case was transferred to a different court. Farooq Chishti, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was tried separately and received a life term in 2007. Tragically, one of the accused committed suicide. Eight other accused were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1998.
The second chargesheet was filed against the six individuals who were recently sentenced, along with Almas, who remains at large. The prosecution explained that the investigation into these six accused was delayed, leading to a separate trial.
The Ajmer sex scandal case has been a long and complex legal battle, stretching over three decades. The convictions of these six men mark a significant step towards justice for the victims. However, the case serves as a stark reminder of the enduring challenges in combating sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly when vulnerable young people are targeted.
