Life imprisonment for acid attacker

In a landmark judgement, the Karnataka High Court has awarded life imprisonment to the accused in the sensational acid attack case on a 20-year-old girl Haseena in Bangalore that took place seven years ago.

The Division of Karnataka High Court convicted Joseph Rodrigues for attempting to murder Haseena by throwing acid on her in Jalahalli in Bangalore on April 20, 1999 when she spurned his overtures.

After the acid attack, Haseena went blind and underwent multiple surgeries. For, the acid had dissolved her lips, nose and one of her earlobes. Also, the welding of one side of her neck to the shoulder had transformed the shape of her face.

Reasoning the harsh punishment for Joseph Rodrigues, the court observed that “She (Haseena) had become a prisoner in her own house. A young beautiful girl, who has now to carry on her life, with a hideous face, who has lost hope forever of leading a normal life, including loss of a chance of marriage and the revered dream of every girl – motherhood – for no fault of hers is only because of the act of the accused”.

Besides, sentencing Rodrigues to life imprisonment, the Bench also slapped a fine of Rs 200,000 on the convict. Apart from the fine imposed on the convict, the High Court also awarded Haseena a compensation of Rs 300,000 by the trail court, which had earlier sentenced Rodrigues to only five years and three months imprisonment. The trial court’s order was also set aside by the High Court.

The High Court observed that it cannot shut its eyes to the obnoxious tendency of young persons resorting to use of corrosive substances like acid for throwing on girls, causing not only severe physical damage, but also mental trauma to the victims.