While upholding the 2005 conviction of a Dera head, the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that “no self-respecting woman will come forward in a court just to make a humiliating statement against her honour” to state herself as a rape victim unless the incident happened to her. The High Court noted that the victim’s family had been devout followers of the accused, a religious preacher at the Dera, and the victim’s father had been his follower for a long time. Story continues below this adThe High Court passed the order while deciding three related cases–Dhanwant Singh’s appeal against his conviction, the victim’s plea seeking enhancement of sentence and her petition seeking compensation. On enhancement of the 10-year rigorous imprisonment, the High Court observed, “Eradication of criminal activity is an essential function of the state. The High Court observed that the victim had suffered trauma of sexual assault from the accused and thereafter a long quest for justice.