Kanpur Court Delivers Life Sentence in Pocso Act Case
A Kanpur court has delivered a landmark verdict, convicting a man under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and sentencing him to life imprisonment for sexually harassing and threatening a minor girl. The court also imposed a substantial fine and issued specific directives for victim compensation.
Court's Detailed Judgment and Sentencing
On Tuesday, the Kanpur court convicted Ram Naresh Passi under the Pocso Act for his heinous crimes against a minor girl. Special Judge Pocso Act/Additional Sessions Judge, Kanpur Nagar, Raghubir Singh, pronounced the sentence of life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 53,000. The judge's order specified that if Passi fails to pay the fine, he will face an additional three-year jail term.
The judicial official demonstrated particular concern for the survivor's welfare by ordering that 90% of the fine amount be directly given to the victim. Furthermore, the court directed that a copy of the order be sent to the District Legal Services Authority to ensure that compensation to the survivor and her family was properly administered under existing victim support schemes.
Nature of the Crime and Investigation Details
According to the court's observations, the accused physically exploited a minor girl, thrashed her, and intimidated her with threats to kill her if she disclosed the incident. The case was prosecuted by additional district government counsel Omendra Dixit and special public prosecutor Chandra Kant Sharma, who presented compelling evidence against the perpetrator.
The complaint was filed by the mother of the survivor, who reported that on August 2, 2021, the family was sleeping in their quarter when the incident occurred. The 6-year-old girl (now aged 12) went to the urinal around midnight, where Ram Naresh Pasi, who lived in an adjacent room, caught her and took her to his room. He tied her mouth with a scarf, attempted to physically exploit her, and later threatened to kill her if she told her parents about the assault.
Compensation and Legal Framework
The court's order specifically addressed compensation mechanisms, noting that if any sum had already been provided to the survivor and her family, it should be adjusted against the funds available under the UP Victim Damages Scheme 2014. This careful consideration ensures that the victim receives maximum support through established legal channels while avoiding duplication of benefits.
This case represents a significant application of the Pocso Act, which was enacted to provide stronger legal protection for children against sexual offenses. The court's comprehensive judgment, including both punitive measures and victim compensation directives, sets an important precedent for how such cases should be handled within the Indian judicial system.
