These are the words written —in the form of a letter—by Additional Sessions Judge Rajani Ranga to a girl child who had been raped in July 2023. The victim of the sexual offense was only seven years old at the time.
Furthermore, the judge praised the girl’s “courage” in the letter and assured her that the person who harmed her would spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
Since becoming public, the letter has gone viral across various digital platforms. People are effusively praising Judge Rajani Ranga for her sensitivity and thoughtfulness.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi State Legal Services Authority to have this message printed and ensure it reaches the victim—who is now 10 years old—along with the compensation of ₹10.50 lakh awarded to her family.
Rajani Ranga is an Additional Sessions Judge at Delhi’s Rohini District Court. She has been assigned as the Judge of a Special Court which deals with the cases registered under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. .
The judge wrote that among all the girls this court has encountered so far, she is the bravest. While sentencing the convict to life imprisonment, trial court Judge Rajni Ranga emphasized that he would remain in prison for the “remainder of his natural life.”
Towards the end of her order, Judge Ranga stated that she “ought to speak to the girl—not in the formal language of the verdict, but as a judge who has heard her voice, read her words, and been moved by her courage.”
She wrote to the girl, “When you said, ‘Keep the uncle in jail until he grows old,’ this court listened to you… and this court has responded to your request.”
She added, “Today, this court has ordered that the man you called ‘Uncle’ will never be free. He will spend the rest of his life in a cage. He will grow old in that very prison. He will die in that very prison. He will never be able to harm you, your little sister, or any other child.”
Describing her as the “bravest girl,” the judge praised her for “coming to court, identifying the man who harmed you, and speaking the truth”—noting that the man you called ‘Uncle’ did a terrible thing to you, yet you did not remain silent. You told your mother. And because you showed the courage to speak up, he will never be able to harm another child.
“The court assures you that he will never see the outside world as a free man.”
Concluding her letter, the judge acknowledged that the court “cannot give you back your childhood,” but advised, “Now, live your life. Go to school. Make friends. Laugh and play. Dream. This court will always remember your courage.”
Judge Ranga’s letter is part of the order pronounced on July 11. However, since cases involving the sexual abuse of children are heard in special POCSO courts, judgments are typically not made public to protect the victims’ identities.
This matter came to light when the letter was included in a recent Delhi High Court order. That order had rejected the convict’s plea for bail and the suspension of his sentence. While the High Court order disclosed the convict’s name (he is an adult), no further details about him were provided.
Describing Judge Ranga’s letter as a “message of encouragement” for the girl, the High Court directed the DSLSA to print a copy and hand it over to her along with the compensation amount.
This moving letter has touched the hearts of many. People are sharing it on social media, they have hailed it as a “rare gesture” and a “ray of hope,” while also praising the judge.
In the order, Judge Ranga also discussed the profound and lasting impact such an assault can have on a child.
After “assessing the gravity of the crime, the depth of the victim’s suffering, and the lifelong impact,” he stated that his order was an attempt to help the girl “heal and get her life back on track.
