An Indian judge’s heartfelt note swept across social media after a 10‑year‑old survivor of a July 2023 sexual assault received a court order promising her safety and compensation.
Judge Rajani Ranga addressed the child as “Dear child”, calling her the bravest little girl the court had ever seen. In her order the judge confirmed a life sentence for the accused, the alleged “uncle”, and awarded the victim 1.05 million rupees ($10,941). She assured the child that he would “never walk free again” and would “live in a cage for the rest of his life.”
Despite the confidential nature of POCSO proceedings, the judge’s letter was later reproduced in a Delhi High Court order that rejected the convict’s appeal for bail. The High Court praised the note as a “message of encouragement” and ordered that a copy be given to the child along with her compensation.
The emotional correspondence has been shared by millions on social media, described as a “ray of hope” in a country where more than 69,000 child‑sexual‑abuse cases were recorded in 2024 alone. Many commentators point out that the accused is typically a trusted caregiver, making the need for vigilance and swift justice all the more urgent.
Judge Ranga’s order tries to heal a young victim’s wounds “by addressing the nature of the crime, the depth of suffering, and the lifelong impact on the child.” Her message to the survivor—go to school, make friends, dream—serves as a reminder that justice must also provide emotional support.
Image caption: More than 69,000 cases of child sexual abuse were recorded in India in 2024 alone.
