Pune Court Delivers 20-Year Sentence in Child Sexual Assault Case
A special Pocso court in Pune has delivered a landmark verdict, convicting and sentencing a 40-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl and exposing her and her five-year-old friend to obscene videos. The disturbing incident occurred in August 2020 within a locality under the jurisdiction of the Wanowrie police station.
Court Upholds Trustworthy Testimony of Child Victim
Special judge Mahendra K Mahajan, presiding over the case, firmly held that the testimony of the child victim was entirely trustworthy and corroborated by substantial medical and forensic evidence. The court meticulously examined the evidence, leading to the conviction of the accused under multiple stringent legal provisions.
The accused was found guilty of offences under sections 376AB, which pertains to the rape of a child below 12 years of age, and section 354-A, addressing sexual harassment, of the Indian Penal Code. Additionally, he was convicted under sections 5 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, both related to aggravated penetrative sexual assault. The court specifically sentenced the accused under the stringent Pocso provisions, reflecting the gravity of the crimes committed against minors.
Detailed Account of the August 2020 Incident
According to the case presented by special prosecutor Milind Datrange, the accused resided in the same neighbourhood as the families of the two young girls. His son was a friend of both children, and they frequently visited his house. On a fateful afternoon in August 2020, the accused called the two minor girls, who were playing nearby, into his residence.
Once inside, he showed them obscene videos on his mobile phone. Subsequently, he sent one of the girls outside the room and proceeded to sexually assault the 10-year-old child. The traumatic incident only came to light after the children courageously narrated the events to their family members, prompting the filing of a formal police complaint at the Wanowrie police station.
Investigation and Forensic Evidence Seal Conviction
Following the complaint, a thorough investigation was launched. The child victim underwent a medical examination, and the accused was promptly arrested. Authorities seized his mobile phone, which later underwent forensic analysis. This analysis conclusively revealed the presence of obscene images and videos stored on the device, providing crucial digital evidence that supported the victim's account.
During the trial, the defence argued that the case was falsely filed due to an alleged financial dispute between the accused and the victim's family. However, the court categorically rejected this argument, emphasizing the strength and consistency of the evidence presented.
Judge's Remarks on Witness Credibility
While delivering the conviction, Judge Mahajan made significant observations regarding witness testimony. He stated, "The evidence of the victim is without any material omissions or contradictions. Evidence of witnesses always has some omissions, improvements, and discrepancies. Witnesses are human beings; therefore, they cannot articulate the same facts in the same chronological manner every time."
This statement underscored the court's recognition of the challenges in witness testimony while affirming the reliability of the child victim's account. The verdict serves as a stern reminder of the judicial system's commitment to protecting children and delivering justice in cases of sexual offences, ensuring that perpetrators face severe consequences for their actions.
