In a significant verdict that reinforces the fight against child sexual abuse, a fast track court in Mizoram's Kolasib district has sentenced a 67-year-old man to ten years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl.
The court pronounced the quantum of punishment on Thursday, sending the convicted individual to district jail while also imposing a fine of Rs 7,000 for the heinous crime committed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The Path to Justice
The harrowing case came to light when the young victim courageously disclosed the abuse to her father on January 15, 2019. According to the victim's account, the sexual assault had occurred in mid-2018, when she was just eight years old.
Responding immediately to his daughter's traumatic revelation, the father filed a First Information Report (FIR) at a local police station the very next day, on January 16, 2019. The police swiftly registered a criminal case under the POCSO Act, 2012 and apprehended the suspect.
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
After thorough investigation, law enforcement authorities submitted a chargesheet, leading to the initial conviction by a district court on November 17, 2021. The court had then sentenced the accused to ten years imprisonment and levied a fine of Rs 5,000.
However, the legal journey took another turn when the convicted individual appealed to the Aizawl bench of Gauhati High Court. In a decisive move on July 29, the High Court directed the fast track court judge to conduct a fresh trial and complete the proceedings within a strict six-month timeframe.
Final Verdict and Implications
Presiding over the case, Judge R Vanlalena of the fast track court convicted the elderly man under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault against children. The court not only maintained the ten-year prison term but increased the financial penalty to Rs 7,000.
This judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to delivering swift justice in cases involving sexual violence against children. The use of fast track courts for POCSO cases has proven instrumental in ensuring timely resolution, providing a measure of closure to victims and their families while sending a strong deterrent message to potential offenders.
The case also highlights the importance of the POCSO Act, 2012, which was specifically enacted to address sexual offences against children and provide a child-friendly judicial process. The legislation has become a crucial tool in combating child sexual abuse across India, with special provisions for faster trial processes and stricter punishments.
