A special POCSO court has sentenced a 51-year-old man to life imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life for repeatedly raping a 7-year-old girl in his neighborhood in 2015. The court emphasized that such heinous crimes must be met with stringent punishment to send a strong message to society that offenses of this nature will not be tolerated and will be dealt with severely.
The case came to light when the child, during a walk with her mother, gestured as if to slap the accused after he called her over. This unusual behavior prompted the mother to question her daughter, who then revealed the horrific abuse she had endured. The mother, along with a social worker, immediately reported the incident to the police.
In its ruling, the court directed that a copy of the judgment be sent to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in Mumbai to ensure the victim receives appropriate compensation. Special Judge SJ Ansari noted, “It is not difficult to imagine the pain and trauma the victim endured during the commission of these offenses. The fact that she displayed resilience does not negate the need for rehabilitation, especially given that she comes from an economically disadvantaged background.”
The accused attempted to defend himself by claiming that the victim’s parents had falsely implicated him due to disputes over water usage, drying clothes, and money. However, the judge dismissed these claims, stating there was no evidence to support his allegations.
According to the prosecution, the abuse occurred over a month, with the accused repeatedly assaulting the girl in his nearby room. The victim disclosed that she had been raped seven times and was physically abused and threatened to remain silent. The most recent incident took place on August 15, 2015, around 10:30 pm. The girl also revealed that the accused had beaten her to prevent her from speaking out.
After learning of the abuse, the mother informed her husband, who contacted an NGO worker. The parents then reported the incident to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest. Although he was initially granted bail, he was re-arrested after absconding.
The court’s stern judgment underscores the gravity of the crime and the need for society to protect its most vulnerable members. The ruling also highlights the importance of providing victims with the necessary support and rehabilitation to help them recover from such traumatic experiences.
