Agra Tantrik Receives Life Sentence for Heinous Crimes Against Dalit Teen
A court in Aligarh has delivered a stern verdict in a disturbing case of sexual exploitation and intimidation. The court sentenced a 30-year-old tantrik to rigorous life imprisonment until his natural death. He stands convicted for raping and blackmailing a 16-year-old Dalit girl over a prolonged period exceeding two years.
Exploitation of Trust and Access
The tragic sequence of events began when the tantrik started visiting the victim's family home. He presented himself as a healer who could treat the girl's ailing brother. This granted him regular access to the household. The father of the girl filed a formal complaint in September 2024, detailing the horrific abuse.
"He frequently came to our home to treat my son," the father stated in his complaint. "He exploited this trust and repeatedly raped my daughter for nearly two years."
A Cycle of Abuse, Blackmail, and Terror
The abuse followed a brutal pattern. The tantrik did not stop at the physical assaults. He recorded obscene videos of the minor during these acts. He then used these recordings as a tool for blackmail, threatening to circulate them publicly. His threats escalated to include the girl's entire family.
"One day, my daughter finally confided in me," the father recounted. "She told me the tantrik had molested her. He had physical relations with her and made a video. He used that video to blackmail her and keep her silent."
The situation reached a critical point on September 11, 2024. The tantrik arrived at their home and issued dire threats. "He threatened to take my daughter away," the father alleged. "He said he would set our entire house on fire and would not leave anyone alive." The complaint also mentioned that the accused took the girl to various hotels where he continued to assault her. "My family is living in constant fear and terror," the father wrote, capturing their traumatic ordeal.
Legal Proceedings and Swift Justice
Based on the father's detailed complaint, authorities acted promptly. The police registered a case under multiple stringent laws:
- Section 64 (Rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Section 351-1 (Criminal Intimidation) of the BNS
- Relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act
- Provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
Law enforcement arrested the accused shortly after the case was filed. He remained in judicial custody throughout the legal process. The investigation moved quickly, with a chargesheet being filed within weeks of the arrest.
The Court's Final Judgment
The case was heard by Additional District and Sessions Judge Abhishek Kumar Bagaria, who presides over a special POCSO court. After carefully considering arguments from both the prosecution and the defense, Judge Bagaria announced the sentence on Friday.
Additional District Government Counsel Mahesh Singh confirmed the court's decision. The judge imposed the maximum penalty of rigorous life imprisonment, meaning the convict must remain behind bars for the remainder of his natural life. The court also levied a significant fine of Rs 65,000 on the convicted tantrik.
This verdict sends a powerful message against crimes targeting minors and marginalized communities. It underscores the judiciary's commitment to delivering swift and severe punishment for such predatory and exploitative acts.
