India, Dec. 22 -- MEERUT A special Pocso court in Bulandshahr on Monday sentenced five men to rigorous life imprisonment for the brutal gang rape of a woman and her 14-year-old daughter, along with robbery, during an ambush on National Highway-91 in July 2016. The victims' family had demanded capital punishment, but the court opted for life terms till natural death, coupled with hefty fines.

The court imposed a fine of Rs.1.81 lakh on each convict, with half the amount earmarked as compensation for the victims - the minor daughter (now 23) and her mother.

Special Pocso judge OP Verma delivered the sentence, after convicting the accused on December 20. The case, which outraged the nation and sparked debates on women's safety on highways,...