‘Beta’: Judge pens emotional note to POCSO survivor; ‘encouraging’ says Delhi High Court

Three years after enduring a sexual assault at the tender age of seven, a young survivor in a POCSO case is about to receive a heartfelt letter crafted by the trial judge who convicted her attacker. The Delhi High Court has ruled that this encouraging message, penned by Judge Rajani Ranga, be delivered to the child or her family, alongside the compensation awarded. The incident occurred on July 23, 2023, when the survivor was just seven years old, making her now ten years old.

The court's letter, read by Justice Pratibha M Singh and Justice Dinesh Bhatt during a hearing on a convict's appeal against his conviction, served as a message of encouragement. It urged the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, to print and hand over the message to the survivor or her family within two weeks of the September 29 ruling.

The judge expressed remorse that childhood could not be restored but highlighted the survivor's bravery, stating, "You are the bravest little girl this Court has ever seen." The judge urged the young girl to live her life, attend school, make friends, laugh, play, and dream. The court reminded her that it would always remember her courage.