Thane Court Imposes 10-Year Rigorous Imprisonment for Minor's Sexual Assault
A court in Maharashtra's Thane district has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing a 35-year-old man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for the repeated sexual assault of a minor girl. The judgment underscores the critical importance of survivor testimony in sexual offence cases.
Court's Emphasis on Survivor Testimony
Sentencing Dhondiram Tukaram Bansode, Special Judge (POCSO) V A Patravale from the Kalyan court stated that the testimony of a survivor in sexual offence cases carries substantial weight and "inspires confidence" even without corroborative evidence. The court highlighted that unless compelling reasons necessitate looking for corroboration, courts should have no difficulty acting on the testimony of a sexual assault victim alone when it is reliable and confidence-inspiring.
Prosecution's Case and Evidence
A copy of the order dated January 31 was made available on Wednesday. Special public prosecutors Bhamre Patil and R R Bhoir examined 12 witnesses to prove the charges against Bansode. According to the prosecution, Bansode had repeatedly sexually abused a Class 5 student in his neighbourhood until her family members discovered the crime in 2016.
Defence Arguments and Court's Rejection
The defence argued that the case resulted from a dispute between families and pointed to a three-day delay in filing the police complaint. However, the court accepted the prosecution's explanation that the girl's family initially feared social discrimination, which caused the delay. The court noted that the survivor clearly articulated the assault once she took her time, reinforcing the validity of her testimony.
Sentencing and Compensation
In addition to the 10-year prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 12,000 on the convict. The judge also ruled that the survivor is entitled to compensation under the government's compensation scheme for such matters, ensuring financial support for her recovery and well-being.
This ruling serves as a stern reminder of the legal system's commitment to protecting minors and upholding justice in cases of sexual violence, with a strong reliance on survivor accounts to secure convictions.
