A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Mumbai on Tuesday convicted and sentenced a 28-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the sexual assault of a four-year-old girl in his neighbourhood during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.
Court Proceedings and Witness Testimonies
Special public prosecutor Geeta Malankar presented several witnesses, including the child and her mother. The victim's mother testified that while she was teaching her elder daughter, the younger child went to the common passage to watch the rain. When the child returned complaining of pain and a burning sensation, she disclosed that the neighbour had sexually assaulted her.
The victim's father, who worked as a cook at a restaurant and was away for work, returned home immediately after being informed and lodged a police complaint.
Defence Arguments Rejected
The defence argued that the man was falsely implicated due to a personal dispute and suggested the child was suffering from a medical infection rather than a sexual assault. However, the court found no evidence of such a dispute or prior illness.
Additional Sessions Judge Shilpa S. Todkar imposed a fine of 10,000 rupees on the convict, noting that the amount should be paid to the victim as compensation.
