A trial court judge in India has drawn public attention for a personal letter addressed to a child sexual abuse survivor, offering reassurance and recognition of the victim’s bravery in testifying against her abuser.
Judge Rajani Ranga’s letter addresses the 10-year-old as “the bravest little girl this court has ever seen” and promises that her abuser will remain imprisoned for life. The court imposed a life sentence on the convict and awarded the survivor compensation of 1.05 million rupees. In her written order, Judge Ranga departed from formal legal language to speak directly to the child, referencing her courtroom statement and assuring her that the perpetrator “will never walk free again” and “will die in that cage.”
The letter, part of a judgment announced earlier, came to public light after being cited in a Delhi high court order that rejected the convict’s appeal for bail. The high court characterized Judge Ranga’s letter as “a message of encouragement” and directed authorities to provide the child with a printed copy along with her compensation. The emotional tone and personal recognition of the victim’s suffering has resonated widely on social media, with many describing it as unusual and meaningful.
Campaigners have noted that while Judge Ranga’s approach may be uncommon, the underlying issue it addresses remains prevalent. Government data indicates that more than 69,000 cases under India’s Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act were recorded in 2024 alone. Experts point out that in the majority of cases, perpetrators are known to victims and occupy positions of trust, and many incidents go unreported entirely. Survivors and advocates emphasize that such abuse often produces lasting psychological and developmental consequences for victims.
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