A district court in Chandigarh has delivered a stern 30-year prison sentence to a convict for the kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl in 2023. The court strongly denounced the perpetrator's actions, stating he had shown a "wicked and evil mind" by targeting the young child.
Court's Stern Judgment and Compensation Order
Additional District and Sessions Judge Dr Yashika pronounced the verdict, holding the convict guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Alongside the lengthy imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of Rs 72,000 on the offender.
In a significant move for victim support, the judge recommended the case for a compensation award of Rs 4 lakh to be provided to the child through the District Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh. This compensation will be granted under the Union Territory of Chandigarh Victim Assistance Scheme, 2018. The court acknowledged that while no sum could truly compensate for the trauma, the provision was crucial for the victim's future.
Details of the 2023 Crime
The horrific incident came to light on January 11, 2023, when the girl's family lodged a complaint at the Mauli Jagran police station. According to the prosecution, the 22-year-old convict, who was from the victim's locality, lured the child by giving her Rs 100 and asking her to fetch a matchstick from a nearby market.
When the girl returned, he asked her to enter his room and then bolted the door from inside. The assailant then slapped the child three times before subjecting her to a brutal sexual assault. Displaying immense courage, the eight-year-old managed to unlock the door, escape, and immediately inform a friend and later her mother about the attack.
Legal Proceedings and Court's Reasoning
During the trial, the defense counsel argued that the accused was innocent and had been falsely implicated. However, the court, after evaluating all evidence and witness statements, found him guilty of the charges.
At the sentencing hearing, the convict pleaded for leniency, citing that he was the sole breadwinner for his family and had no prior criminal record. Special Public Prosecutor Maninder Kaur countered this plea, arguing that failing to award appropriate punishment would undermine public faith in the legal system.
Judge Dr Yashika, in her detailed order, emphasized the profound impact of such crimes. She stated that sexual violence against children shatters the victim's life, prestige, and future, causing lasting physical, emotional, and mental harm that hinders overall development.
The judge underscored that children are the nation's future and must be protected to ensure a bright tomorrow for the country. She noted that such assaults create deep fear and trauma not only for the direct victim but also for other children in the community. The court asserted that stern punishment was necessary to deter individuals with criminal mindsets and to restore a sense of security for families.
Ultimately, rejecting the plea for mercy, the court held that "the hand of justice need not be tempered with mercy in such like cases." The 30-year rigorous imprisonment stands as a powerful message against crimes targeting minors.
