Dumka: A Pocso court in Godda district on Saturday sentenced a man to 22 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old girl in 2025. Special Pocso-cum-district and sessions judge Pawan Kumar also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convict. If he fails to pay the fine, the convict will have to undergo an additional year of rigorous imprisonment.
The court also sentenced the convict to seven years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 under Section 96 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional six months of imprisonment. The court ordered that both sentences will run concurrently.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the survivor’s mother, the girl left home to answer nature’s call on April 17, 2025, but did not return. During a search, family members found that the convict had taken the girl with him and was allegedly preparing to flee. Police arrested the man and submitted a chargesheet based on evidence collected. During the trial, the court examined 10 witnesses.
“Relying on witness testimonies, documentary evidence and forensic reports, the court found the man guilty and awarded the stringent sentence,” said public prosecutor Javed Hussain.
The case highlights the swift action taken by the judiciary in cases of sexual offenses against minors. The conviction under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act underscores the legal system’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of child sexual abuse. The concurrent running of sentences ensures that the convict serves a total of 22 years, reflecting the severity of the crime.
