NEW DELHI: In a ruling that has been delayed for over three long decades, a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act court in Ajmer has sentenced six individuals to life imprisonment for their involvement in the notorious Ajmer sex scandal that shocked India in the early 1990s. 

The three-decades-old legal battles are the result of the massive public outcry surrounding the exploitation of numerous young teenage girls in Ajmer.  The scandal, which first came to light in 1992, involved the systematic sexual abuse and blackmail of approximately 250 female students, aged between 11 and 20, by a group of powerful individuals, some of whom were connected to the influential Khadim family of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The accused lured victims to secluded locations where they were assaulted and photographed in compromising positions to ensure their silence.

Judge Ranjan Singh of the POCSO court handed down life sentences to Nafees Chishti, Naseem alias Tarzan, Salim Chishti, Iqbal Bhati, Sohail Gani, and Sayed Zameer Hussain. Each of the accused was also fined Rs 5 lakh for their roles in the heinous crimes. 

The case gained widespread attention after journalist Santosh Gupta published a series of reports detailing the abuses, leading to public outrage and protests in Ajmer. The scandal not only highlighted the vulnerability of young girls in educational institutions but also exposed the complicity of powerful figures who exploited their positions for personal gain.

Despite the long passage of time, the recent verdict has reignited discussions about the safety of women and children in India, as well as the need for stringent measures to prevent such atrocities. Activists and survivors have expressed hope that this ruling will serve as a catalyst for justice in similar cases across the country.

This case underscores the ongoing struggle against sexual violence and the importance of protecting the rights of the most vulnerable members of society.