Pune BPO rape: Will death sentence act as a deterrent?

A local court awarded extreme punishment to two persons in the gang rape and murder case of 22-year-old BPO employee, Jyotikumari. The incident had rocked the city. But will such a harsh verdict make criminals think twice before committing such heinous crimes? DNA finds out...

Every day, crimes are being committed against women, juveniles
The death sentence given to the two convicts by the district court in the Jyotikumari case will surely act as a deterrent and show a red flag to others. The Jyotikumari gang rape and murder was a heinous crime. It was a strong judgement and I appreciate the fact that the verdict was delivered so quickly. There are certain cases where it is essential to give death sentences. Women’s organisations are demanding for a death sentence even for rape crimes because it is worse than murder as the victim has to live with the trauma all her life. Every day, crimes are being committed against women and juveniles, which are increasing day by day. The conviction rate is low and that is due to bad investigation process. For a judge to deliver  correct verdict, it is a must that investigation should be efficient and without any loopholes. The judge depends on evidence and if that is weak it becomes difficult to take a decision. At the end, police are responsible to maintain the law and order.
—Aroona Nafday, advocate

Govt can use criminals productively for country’s development
I have been working against death sentence because if we cannot give life then we should not even take life. In England, till recently, pickpockets were hanged in public and China has a death sentence for those who are held in corruption cases. But still pickpocketing and corruption have not gone down in these countries. A death sentence does not in any way act as a deterrent. In my opinion, death sentence must be abolished all over the world. Instead, life imprisonment till death can act as a far better deterrent. There are so many instances in the world where innocents have been hanged. The government can use these criminals productively for country’s development like building roads and construction purposes among others. Therefore, my suggestion is that life imprisonment is a better option than death sentence as the abilities of convicts can be harnessed and directed towards positive activities that will benefit the country. 
—BG Kolse Patil, advocate

We don’t favour death sentence but in rare cases it should be given
The death sentence handed out in Jyotikumari case will surely act as a deterrent. Crime can be controlled in two ways. Firstly, by preventive measures and secondly, by increasing the conviction rate. The conviction rate, especially in Maharashtra, is very low compared even to a state like Bihar. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure the safety of working women especially if they are working till late night and using drop facility.

We are not in favour of death sentence but in rare cases it is a must otherwise criminals will think that they can get away with crime and repeatedly do the same. It is also equally important to create social awareness in society and take safety measures to prevent rapes. Especially in custodial rapes where minors are victims, the criminals must get life imprisonment because the 7 to 10 years jail term is not enough to act as a deterrent.    
—Shubha Shamim, state secretary, Working Women’s Co-ordination Committee

Convicts must get life imprisonment for rape crimes
The death sentence announced for such a heinous crime will surely act as a deterrent and put some fear in the minds of criminals. Chances are high that death sentences could bring  down the crime rates. Due to the increasing crime rate, women don’t feel safe anywhere in the city. Since I work late night, I end up commuting back home late. I don’t feel safe and have to be extra cautious all the time. I feel that even for rape crimes, the convicts must get life imprisonment. Though 7 to 10 years is a long time to reform, there is still no guarantee whether the rapist will get back to his old habits. It is also important to ensure that speedy judgements take place in rape and murder cases.
—Hemal Deshmukh, IT professional

Conviction rate in the country is at its lowest
The death sentence announced by district court for the two convicts involved in the gang rape and murder of Wipro BPO employee Jyotikumari Choudhari will definitely act as a deterrent for others to not commit such heinous crimes against women.  The case was swiftly dealt with and justice has been finally served. As it is the conviction rate in the country is at its lowest. Any judgement in favour of punishment will surely send a strong message to the culprits. However, let’s see how the high court will handle this case. 
—Kiran Moghe, president, Janwadi Mahila Sanghatna, Maharashtra