An Indian trial court judge has written a compassionate and emotionally moving letter to a 10-year-old child sexual abuse survivor, promising that her abuser would remain imprisoned for life. Judge Rajani Ranga's letter, which praised the child as "the bravest little girl" and assured her that the convict "will never walk free again", has resonated widely across India and drawn attention to the country's widespread problem of child sexual abuse. The letter demonstrates a judicial approach that prioritises victim support and recognition of the child's courage in coming forward.

The trial court convicted the abuser and imposed a life sentence, with compensation of 1.05 million rupees (approximately £8,274) awarded to the survivor. The letter came to public attention when a Delhi high court rejected the convict's appeal for bail and suspension of sentence; the high court subsequently ordered that a copy of the judge's letter be provided to the child alongside her compensation. India recorded more than 69,000 child sexual abuse cases in 2024 alone, yet campaigners note that many incidents remain unreported, as the majority of abusers are known to their victims and are often trusted family members or caregivers.