A Delhi trial court judge wrote a special letter to a 10-year-old rape survivor after delivering the judgment in her case. Judge Rajni Ranga praised the child for the courage she showed in telling her family about the incident and identifying the accused in court. The Delhi High Court has directed the North-West Delhi District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to print the letter and deliver it to the child or her family within two weeks, describing it as a “courage note”.
The case dates back to July 23, 2023, when the child was seven years old. Her parents had filed a rape complaint against Sumit Shakya, whom the child referred to as “uncle”.
During the trial, the child told the court that the accused should remain in prison until he became old. The trial court subsequently convicted him and sentenced him to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life.
After delivering the judgment, Judge Rajni Ranga wrote a separate letter addressed to the child. Apart from the legal decision, the letter sought to provide emotional support and acknowledge the child's courage.
Judge Rajni Ranga began the letter with the words “Dear Child” and praised the courage the girl showed in appearing before the court and identifying the accused.
The judge wrote that instead of remaining silent about the incident, the child told her mother everything that had happened. She later also spoke about it in court. According to the judge, the child's courage helped prevent the accused from harming another child.
The judge assured the child that the court had heard her and that her bravery would be remembered.
The judge also referred in the letter to the person whom the child called “uncle”. She wrote that the court had heard the child and that the convicted person would remain in prison for the rest of his natural life.
According to the letter, the convict would grow old and eventually die in prison and would not be able to harm the child, her younger sister or another child again.
The message also addressed the child's concern about keeping the accused in prison for a long period.
At the end of the letter, Judge Rajni Ranga encouraged the child to focus on her life ahead. She told her to go to school, make friends, laugh, play and dream.
The message sought to shift the child's attention beyond the court proceedings and the crime towards her future. The judge sought to assure her that she should now have the opportunity to move forward with her life.
Sumit Shakya was convicted under the POCSO law for aggravated sexual assault against a child below 12 years of age.
The trial court sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
He was also sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 20,000 for criminal intimidation. Both sentences will run concurrently.
The court had also determined compensation of Rs 10.50 lakh for the survivor.
The Delhi High Court has sought a report from the secretary of the District Legal Services Authority on the status of payment of the compensation determined for the child.
The process is intended to establish whether the financial assistance fixed by the court has reached the survivor. The DLSA has also been assigned responsibility for delivering the judge's letter to the child or her family.
The High Court viewed the letter not merely as part of the judicial proceedings but as a “courage note” acknowledging the child's bravery.
The Delhi High Court, meanwhile, declined to immediately stay the conviction and grant bail to the convict. The court also considered the evidence available in the case, including the forensic report and other evidence.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for November 4, 2026, while the accused's appeal is listed for January 20, 2027.
The case therefore continues on two fronts: the legal process concerning the conviction and sentence, and judicial oversight of the survivor's rehabilitation and payment of the compensation determined for her.
According to available NCRB data, 1,553 POCSO cases were registered in Delhi in 2024.
The figure is equivalent to more than four cases per day on average. However, the number represents cases reported during that year and should not be treated as the actual number of all offences against children.
The NCRB's 2025 report has not yet been released. Therefore, there is no latest official figure available for comparing POCSO cases in Delhi for 2025.
The case also involves aspects related to the survivor's rehabilitation. The letter written by the judge and the monitoring of compensation form part of the judicial process concerning the child.
In the message addressed to the child, the focus was placed on her future rather than the incident from her past. The references to attending school, spending time with friends, playing and dreaming were intended to encourage her return towards a normal life.
The Delhi High Court's direction to deliver the letter is also part of this process. The DLSA is required to deliver the “courage note” to the child or her family within the specified time.
