New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS): Upholding the life sentence to a man for raping his own daughter, the Delhi High Court said the case is a sad reflection on the present day society where a most platonic relationship has been "soiled by the pervert and degrading act of the father".

A division bench of Justice P.K. Bhasin and Justice V.P. Vaish dismissed the appeal filed by Tek Bahadur alias Tekender Nath, challenging the trial court's Jan 20, 2012, conviction order and his sentencing to life imprisonment.

The bench, expressing anguish over the conduct of the man, said: "The father is supposed to protect the dignity and honour of his daughter. This is a fundamental facet of human life. If the protector becomes the violator, the offence assumes a great degree of vulnerability."

"The sanctity of father and daughter relationship gets polluted. It becomes an unpardonable act. It is not only a loathsome sin, but also abhorrent," the bench has said in a recent judgment.

In March 2011, the girl lodged a complaint at the Sarai Rohila police station that her father has been raping her for past three years. Police said he had also raped her elder sister who had left the house due to his conduct.

The prosecution said the girl's sister had not disclosed the rape as her father had made threats. The girls' mother had died seven years ago and her elder brother was staying separately with his wife and children.

Refusing to grant any leniency to the man, the court said: "The case at hand is a sad reflection on the present day society where a most platonic relationship has been soiled by the pervert and degrading act of the father."

"The evidence on record clinchingly nails the appellant as the offender. In this case, the appellant's lustful acts have indelible scar not only physically but also emotionally on the victim. No sympathy or leniency is called for."