A special court in Jhansi has delivered a stern verdict in a horrific case of child sexual abuse within a family, sentencing a 44-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping his own 11-year-old daughter.
Heinous Crime Uncovered in Village
The Special POCSO Court Judge, Mohammad Nyaz Ahmad Ansari, pronounced the sentence on Thursday. The court also imposed a substantial fine of Rs 1,05,000 on the convict. According to Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC) Vijay Kushwaha, the entire fine amount is to be transferred directly to the survivor to aid in her rehabilitation and future.
The traumatic incident dates back to November 3, 2022, in a village under the jurisdiction of the Sakrar police station in Jhansi district. The survivor is the daughter of the accused from his second wife.
A Mother's Complaint and the Trial
As per the formal complaint lodged by the girl's mother, the crime occurred when the minor was alone at home. Her mother was working in a farm at the time. The accused, her own father, entered the house and sexually assaulted the child. He then threatened her with dire consequences if she dared to speak about the incident to anyone.
However, the brave girl confided in her mother later that same evening, recounting the horrific ordeal. Acting swiftly on her daughter's testimony, the mother approached the Sakrar police station and filed a formal complaint.
The police registered a case under stringent sections of the law:
- Sections 376(2) and 376 AB of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rape, particularly of a minor under twelve.
- Sections 504 and 506 of the IPC for intentional insult and criminal intimidation.
- Section 5/6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
Justice Served After Trial
The case proceeded to trial, where the evidence was examined thoroughly. The court found the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of committing the heinous crime. After considering the gravity of the offense, which represents a profound breach of trust and the sanctity of a child's safety within her own home, the judge handed down the maximum punishment permissible under the relevant provisions.
The 20-year prison sentence sends a powerful message about the zero-tolerance approach towards crimes against children, especially those perpetrated by family members. The order to use the fine for the survivor's welfare underscores the court's focus on victim-centric justice.
This verdict from the Jhansi POCSO court highlights the critical role of the judiciary in protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring that perpetrators of such brutal crimes face the full force of the law.
