Quick Summary: In a recent decision, the Delhi High Court reduced T.M. Zhymes' sentence from 14 years to 10 years for a 2016 assault case involving a minor. The court agreed that he was guilty but changed how long he will be in jail.
On January 27, 2016, a 14-year-old girl was reported missing in New Delhi. The next day, she was found near Humayunpur Red Light. She said she was kidnapped, drugged, and attacked by T.M. Zhymes, who was arrested on February 3, 2016.
T.M. Zhymes was first found guilty by the Saket Courts in New Delhi on November 30, 2024, under laws related to serious assault and kidnapping, along with laws protecting children from abuse. He was sentenced to 14 years for the assault and 10 years for kidnapping, with both sentences happening at the same time.
T.M. Zhymes challenged the guilty verdict, saying there were inconsistencies in what the victim said and no physical proof. The defense pointed out contradictions in what people said and the lack of CCTV footage.
Judge Sanjeev Narula noted that while the victim's story stayed the same, the investigation had some mistakes. The court found that the victim's age and the fact that the assault happened were proven well enough, supporting the guilty verdict.
"The main part of her story stays the same across her statements and testimony in court."
The court lowered T.M. Zhymes' sentence to 10 years, taking into account that he had no previous criminal record and had health problems like depression and diabetes. The court stressed the importance of being fair in sentencing.
"The minimum sentence of ten years under the law is fair enough for justice in this case."
The court ordered that the victim's identity should remain private and instructed the trial court and jail authorities to follow the new sentence.
In summary, the Delhi High Court maintained the guilty verdict but decided on a shorter sentence due to the offender's personal circumstances and lack of previous offenses.
