Wednesday, June 1 2005 16:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jaipur: A fast track court today (Jun 1, 2005) awarded life imprisonment to an auto rickshaw driver and his accomplice for raping a German tourist in Jodhpur, in one of the speediest trials for such a crime.

Additional District Judge of the fast track court, Jodhpur Praveer Kumar Bhatnagar decided the case within 16 days of the challan being produced before him by the police on May 16.

The incident occurred on May 11 and the local police station registered the case the next day itself.

The judge also imposed a fine of Rs.5000 each on driver Shankar lal and Rakesh who waylaid and raped the woman, special public prosecutor Hastimal Parekh told PTI on telephone.

Forty-seven year old woman, an airlines employee, after personally appearing in the court and identifying the accused already left for her country last month.

She was raped some time between 21:00 hrs (IST) and 22:00 hrs (IST) in Dangiawas area of Jodhpur on May 11, and when she raised a hue and cry the villagers came to her help and informed the police. By the time, police reached the site the accused fled in their auto-rickshaw but were later nabbed in a combing operation near Jodhpur city.

On May 13 taking a suo motu cognisance in the case, the Rajasthan High Court directed the State Government to ensure speedy investigation within a month.