Dhoraji POCSO Court Imposes 20-Year Rigorous Imprisonment for Heinous Child Rape Case
A special court designated under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Dhoraji, Gujarat, delivered a landmark judgment on Wednesday, sentencing a 27-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the repeated rape of a 13-year-old schoolgirl in Upleta. The verdict, pronounced by Additional Sessions Judge A M Shaikh, underscores the judiciary's firm stance against crimes targeting minors.
Details of the Crime and Legal Proceedings
The horrific incident occurred on July 11, 2025, when the accused, a distant relative and neighbour of the victim originally from Dahod, abducted the girl as she was walking to school. He forced her onto his motorcycle and confined her in a remote hut on a field for a harrowing 15 days, during which he subjected her to repeated sexual assaults.
The case came to light after the girl's father filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Upleta police station, leading to her rescue. During the trial, the prosecution successfully proved the charges of aggravated penetrative sexual assault under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and rape under Sections 64(2)(M) and 65 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Court Rejects Defence Arguments, Upholds Minor's Rights
The defence attempted to argue that the victim had accompanied the accused willingly and contested her age, claiming she was over 18. However, the court firmly rejected these claims. Additional Public Prosecutor K M Parekh stated, "The court noted that a minor is incapable of giving legal consent, making the defence's argument of a consensual relationship entirely invalid."
The prosecution substantiated the victim's age as 13 through official records, and her testimony, supported by medical evidence, was pivotal in securing the conviction. The court emphasized that the legal framework protects children from such exploitation, regardless of circumstances.
Sentencing and Compensation Details
In addition to the 20-year prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the convict and directed that Rs 7 lakh be paid as compensation to the victim, aiming to provide some measure of justice and support for her recovery. The accused, who is married and has three children, now faces a lengthy incarceration.
Interestingly, the court acquitted the accused under BNS Sections 137(2) and 87, related to kidnapping and abduction, after the defence showed the victim went with him of her own free will. However, this did not mitigate the sexual assault charges, as the minor's inability to consent legally rendered such arguments moot.
This case highlights the critical role of the POCSO Act and BNS in addressing sexual violence against children, serving as a stern warning to potential offenders and reinforcing the legal protections for India's youth.
