A special court in Mathura has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing a 34-year-old man to rigorous life imprisonment for the brutal rape of a 13-year-old mentally challenged girl. The court emphasized the heinous nature of the crime against a vulnerable minor and imposed a substantial fine for her rehabilitation.
The Horrific Night and Swift Police Action
The traumatic incident unfolded in the early hours of January 19, 2024. The girl's mother awoke around 2 AM to find her daughter missing from their home. The family launched a frantic search and, at approximately 3:45 AM, spotted the victim walking back home. She was bleeding and bore multiple injury marks, as stated by Special Public Prosecutor Rampal Singh.
The parents immediately rushed her to the local police station. Her father filed a First Information Report (FIR) against an unknown person under critical legal sections: IPC 376 (rape), IPC 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and the stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. A medical examination later confirmed the rape of the minor, who was a Class 5 student at the time.
Identification, Arrest, and a Criminal Past Revealed
In a crucial statement recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC, the brave girl identified her attacker as a neighbour. She recounted that he had threatened to kill her if she ever disclosed the assault. This testimony provided police with a vital lead.
Acting swiftly, law enforcement scanned footage from nearby CCTV cameras, which helped them trace and apprehend the accused just three days after the crime. He has remained in judicial custody since his arrest. The investigation further uncovered the accused's alarming criminal history, with at least six prior cases registered against him, including charges related to criminal intimidation and rioting.
Court's Stern Verdict and Rehabilitation Focus
While pronouncing the judgment on Monday, the special POCSO court presided over by Judge Brijesh Kumar-II in Mathura strongly condemned the act. The court observed that the crime was "heinous in nature, particularly as it involved a minor with learning difficulties, and warranted the maximum punishment under the law."
Consequently, the court sentenced the convict to life imprisonment. It also imposed a fine of Rs 1.1 lakh, directing that the entire sum be paid to the survivor's family specifically for her rehabilitation and future care. The court added a stringent clause: in case of non-payment of the fine, the convict will have to undergo an additional year of imprisonment.
