Nuh POCSO Court Delivers 20-Year Sentence for Minor Rape Case
A Special POCSO Court in Nuh has handed down a severe 20-year sentence of rigorous imprisonment to a man convicted of raping a minor girl. The court, emphasizing the gravity of the crime, also imposed a substantial fine of ₹33,000 on the convict.
Court Cites Seriousness of Offence and Threats to Survivor
Dr. Ashu Sanjeev Tinjan, the Additional Sessions Judge presiding over the Special Fast-Track Court for POCSO cases-cum-Children’s Court, highlighted the disturbing nature of the offence. The judge noted that the accused not only committed the sexual assault but also issued threats to the survivor afterward, attempting to silence her.
"Strict punishment is needed to discourage such incidents," the court stated firmly, underscoring the necessity of harsh penalties to deter similar crimes against children in the future.
Details of the December 2022 Incident
According to official case records, the horrific incident occurred in December 2022. The accused man lured the minor girl away from her surroundings and subjected her to a brutal sexual assault. Following the crime, he compounded the trauma by threatening the victim, coercing her not to report the assault to authorities.
Despite these threats, the brave survivor came forward and filed a formal complaint. In response, the Women Police Station in Nuh registered a First Information Report (FIR) in January 2023. The charges included Sections 363 (kidnapping), 366 (kidnapping or abducting a woman to compel marriage), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which pertains to penetrative sexual assault on a child.
Prosecution Success and Sentencing Details
The court observed that the prosecution team, supported by the Nuh Police, had effectively established the guilt of the accused through a thorough investigation and robust evidence collection. This meticulous work played a crucial role in securing the conviction.
The convict received separate sentences under all the relevant sections of the IPC and POCSO Act. However, these sentences will run concurrently, meaning the total imprisonment period remains 20 years. Additionally, the court specified that if the convict fails to pay the ₹33,000 fine, he will face additional simple imprisonment.
It was also noted that the convict has been in judicial custody since February 2023. This period will be set off against the final sentence, reducing the remaining time to be served accordingly.
This ruling serves as a stark reminder of the legal system's commitment to protecting children and delivering justice in cases of sexual violence, particularly under the stringent provisions of the POCSO Act.
