A local court in Uttar Pradesh's Agra district has delivered a significant verdict in a harrowing case of sexual violence against a minor, sentencing three men to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment each for the kidnapping and gangrape of a 15-year-old girl back in 2020. The Special Judge (Pocso), Chitra Sharma, pronounced the judgment on Thursday, imposing a substantial fine of Rs 28,000 on each of the convicted individuals.
Details of the Heinous Crime
The traumatic incident dates back to January 18, 2020, when the young victim, who had studied up to Class VIII, was abducted from a village fair in Hathras. In her recorded statement, the survivor recounted the terrifying ordeal: "I met three accused from the area at the fair. They took me in a tempo to a room and did bad things to me. One more joined them, and they said that they would kill me. I was confined for three days. They also threatened to take me to Agra, and left me at another place."
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Soon after the incident, the survivor's father filed a police complaint, stating that a man and his two associates had kidnapped his daughter. "She did not return home till evening, and I searched for her everywhere. A villager saw her being taken away," the complainant stated. The father was initially unaware about the fourth accused who joined the others later.
Acting promptly on the father's complaint, authorities registered an FIR under IPC section 363 (kidnapping) and launched an intensive search operation. The girl was successfully traced after three agonizing days, and her statements recorded under CrPC sections 161 and 164 proved crucial in identifying her tormentors.
Additional Charges and Arrests
Based on the thorough investigation, additional serious charges were added to the case, including IPC section 376-D (gang rape) and sections 3/4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. Police subsequently arrested all four accused and sent them to judicial custody, though they later obtained bail.
Court's Verdict and Absconding Accused
Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC) Trilok Sharma provided details about the court proceedings: "The court found all three accused, who are now in their late 20s, guilty of the charges. The special judge sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment on Thursday."
Notably, one of the accused, who was initially apprehended and later released on bail, is currently absconding and failed to appear before the court in Hathras. Sharma added, "The court has ordered to issue a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) for him," indicating that legal proceedings against the fourth accused will continue separately.
Broader Implications and Legal Context
This verdict represents a significant development in the fight against sexual crimes in Uttar Pradesh, particularly those involving minors. The imposition of both substantial imprisonment terms and financial penalties underscores the judiciary's commitment to delivering justice in Pocso cases. The case also highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when accused individuals abscond after obtaining bail, necessitating additional legal measures like NBWs to ensure all perpetrators face justice.
The judgment serves as a reminder of the importance of prompt police response, thorough investigation, and the crucial role of survivor testimony in securing convictions in sensitive cases involving sexual violence against children.
