BSF Personnel Sentenced to Three Years for Assaulting Minor in Mathura
A Pocso court in Mathura has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing a 35-year-old Border Security Force (BSF) jawan to three years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The incident occurred while the minor was on her way to school, with the convict also threatening her with death, according to additional district government counsel Alka Upmanyu.
Details of the Harrowing Incident
The assault took place on December 10, 2021, when the victim, a student at an inter-college, was waiting with her younger brother for an auto-rickshaw to go to school. The prosecution revealed that the convict, who resided in the same neighborhood, arrived on a motorcycle and stopped near the children. He then forcibly grabbed the girl in a shocking act of aggression.
When both the 14-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother resisted the assault, the BSF jawan physically attacked the boy and issued death threats to prevent them from reporting the crime. He only fled the scene after local residents began gathering at the location, highlighting the brazen nature of the offense.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
In her formal complaint to the police, the girl's mother disclosed that the convict had been harassing her daughter for some time, regularly passing lewd remarks. Based on this complaint, authorities registered a case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
The charges included IPC sections 323 for voluntarily causing hurt, 354 for assault with intent to outrage modesty, and 506 for criminal intimidation. Additionally, sections 7 and 8 of the Pocso Act were invoked, reflecting the seriousness of the crime against a minor. The accused was subsequently arrested and produced before the court, with a chargesheet filed later in the legal process.
Court Verdict and Sentencing
After thoroughly examining witnesses and evidence, the court of additional district and sessions judge Santosh Kumar Tripathi found the man guilty on Wednesday. The court imposed a three-year rigorous imprisonment sentence along with a fine of Rs 12,000. The judgment specified that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional five months of imprisonment, ensuring appropriate consequences for the convicted individual.
This case underscores the judicial system's commitment to protecting minors from sexual offenses, particularly when the perpetrator holds a position of authority. The verdict sends a strong message about accountability, regardless of one's professional background or community standing.
