Mizoram court sentences two BSF jawans to 20 years for 2017 rape and acid attack

In a significant judicial development, two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, Nilanjan Das and Dinesh Kumar, have been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by a district court in Mizoram for a brutal gang rape and acid attack that occurred in 2017. The sentencing, delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge-I, Aizawl judicial district, Sylvie Zomuanpuii Ralte, concludes a case that has been under legal scrutiny for nine years. The court found the two jawans guilty of offenses including gang rape (IPC Section 376D), aggravated rape (IPC Section 376(2)(m)), and acid attack (IPC Section 326A). The court also imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on each of the convicts, with an additional two months of simple imprisonment for non-payment. All substantive sentences are to run concurrently. The incident dates back to July 16, 2017, when the victim and her friend were reportedly accosted by two men in BSF uniform near the Gaskata river in Silsuri West village, Mamit district, located near the India-Bangladesh border. The victim alleged that after being subjected to gang rape, a corrosive substance was thrown on her face, causing severe injuries, disfigurement, and partial loss of vision. Her friend, who had briefly moved away from the scene, was later found dead. While the two BSF personnel were convicted for the rape and acid attack, they were acquitted of the murder charges related to the death of the victim's friend. The decomposed body of the friend was recovered 11 days after the incident on July 27, 2017. The investigation and trial process faced several hurdles. The BSF authorities initially reportedly resisted attempts to arrest the accused and collect biological samples, requiring administrative intervention. The survivor's ability to identify the perpetrators was delayed due to her temporary loss of eyesight caused by the acid attack. However, she eventually identified Nilanjan Das and Dinesh Kumar during a Test Identification Parade on September 5, 2017. The prosecution examined 18 witnesses, including medical experts and investigating officers, and the court relied significantly on the survivor's consistent and trustworthy testimony. This verdict is considered a landmark in Mizoram, being one of the state's first convictions in an acid attack case. The judgment underscores the gravity of the crimes committed and delivers a measure of justice to the survivor after a prolonged legal battle. The case highlights issues of accountability for personnel in security forces and the severe consequences of gender-based violence. The convicted jawans, hailing from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh respectively, were identified from duty rosters as having been assigned food-carrying duties around the time of the incident. The court's decision, made public on June 16, 2026, reflects the culmination of diligent investigation and judicial proceedings.

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