High Court upholds 17-year jail sentence for man in gang rape case

The High Court has maintained a 17-year prison sentence for a man convicted of participating in a gang rape that occurred in 2023. The incident involved the victim's 26-year-old sister-in-law, who was asleep at the time. Nik Khaira Hafizi Mat Zaid, along with two others, took turns raping the victim while a fourth man helped restrain her and watched.

The rape took place at 3:30 am on August 30, 2023, when the four men entered her room while she was asleep. Nik Khaira and the others pleaded guilty after the prosecution presented evidence, including testimony from four witnesses, including the victim. The judge dismissed the man's appeal against the sentence imposed by the Sessions Court on June 16, 2024, stating that the punishment was appropriate given the severity of the offense and the victim's trauma.

The judge noted the betrayal of trust by the victim's brother-in-law, who had facilitated the crime, as an aggravating factor. The National Legal Aid Foundation argued that the sentencing should consider rehabilitation and a chance for the offender to change his ways, but the judge rejected this, stating that Nik Khaira did not appear to be an immature offender who may not fully understand the seriousness of the crime.