4 get life imprisonment in Keenan, Reuben murder case

Special Women’s Court Judge Vrushali Joshi said the accused will be in jail for the remainder of their life. She held the accused – Jitendra Rana, Sunil Bodh, Satish Dulhaj and Dipak Tival – guilty of murder, outraging the modesty of women and other charges of the Indian Penal Code, in a case which sparked outrage and debate about the safety of women in public places.

Keenan Santos (24) and Reuben Fernandez (29) were stabbed by eve-teasers after a scuffle at Amboli in suburban Andheri on October 20, 2011.

The victims were attacked when they tried to shield their women companions from a group of men who harassed, abused and misbehaved with them outside an eatery at Amboli in suburban Andheri.

The group, after retreating, returned to the spot with over ten aides and brutally assaulted Keenan and Reuben in full public view. Keenen’s father Valerian Santos welcomed the verdict, saying it was a “victory for all” but regretted the delay in getting the justice.

“I am not saying that the culprits should be caught and sent to gallows immediately. I am only saying that judicial system should move faster”, he said, recalling the emotional breakdown of Chief Justice of India over such delay.

Ujjwal Nikam, Special public prosecutor, said all charges of the prosecution have been proved in the case.

“There is direct evidence to show that the accused were eve-teasing and molesting girls when the victims tried to stop it. This is a pre-determined murder and the accused had even threatened them with their life and had come back with weapons to attack them”, Nikam said.

Nikam said the success in the case largely owed to the victims of harrassment. “The testimony of the two girls bolstered our case and their deposition was very detailed,” he said.