Vipul Sharma Fined ₹1 Lakh; Reva Devi Gets 10 Years’ Rigorous Imprisonment and ₹50,000 Fine
KATHUA, AUGUST 21: The Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Kathua, has awarded life imprisonment to Vipul Sharma and 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment to Reva Devi in an acid attack case involving four victims.
The judgment was pronounced by Additional Sessions Judge Pravin Pandoh, who had earlier convicted both accused for the offence punishable under Section 326-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
According to the prosecution, the incident took place on August 2, 2021, following a dispute over construction work. During the altercation, acid was allegedly thrown at the victims, causing burn injuries.
The court noted that Vipul Sharma had thrown acid on the vital part of Victim-1, including the head, resulting in burn injuries to the head, face, arm and chest. Acid was also thrown at another victim during the incident.
During arguments on the quantum of sentence, Additional Public Prosecutor Gurpreet Kour sought the maximum punishment, submitting that acid attacks are heinous offences capable of causing lifelong physical and psychological trauma to victims. She argued that a stringent sentence was necessary to send a strong deterrent message.
Appearing for the convicts, Advocate Rajni Kant sought leniency, citing their age, family circumstances, claimed absence of previous criminal antecedents, the period already spent in custody and the possibility of their reformation.
The court observed that sentencing requires consideration of both aggravating and mitigating circumstances. It also referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Ehsaan v. State of National Capital Territory of Delhi, 2026 INSC 720, which highlighted the punitive, deterrent and protective objectives of sentencing.
After considering the circumstances, the court sentenced Reva Devi to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000, while Vipul Sharma was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined ₹1 lakh. The period already undergone in custody was ordered to be set off against the sentence.
The court further directed that the fines be paid as compensation to the victims, with ₹60,000 to Victim-1, ₹40,000 to Victim-2 and ₹25,000 each to Victims-3 and 4.
Taking note of the serious burn injuries suffered by the victims, particularly Victims-1 and 2, who sustained 19% and 18% burns respectively, the court recommended additional compensation of ₹4 lakh each for Victims-1 and 2 and ₹3 lakh each for Victims-3 and 4 under Section 357-A IPC and the Jammu and Kashmir Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019.
The court directed that a copy of the judgment be forwarded to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kathua, for necessary action and to ensure early disbursement of the recommended compensation to the victims.
The convicts were also informed of their right to challenge the judgment and sentence before the appropriate appellate court.(KNC)
