Court Delivers Stern Message with 20-Year Sentence for Heinous Crime
A special court in Bulandshahr dedicated to cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has handed down a stringent sentence of 20 years of rigorous imprisonment to a 24-year-old man. The conviction is for the crimes of abduction and the repeated rape of a 16-year-old girl. The verdict was pronounced on Thursday by Special Judge-III Om Prakash Verma.
Details of the Abduction and Assault
According to the case details presented by Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC) Varun Kaushik, the incident traces back to January 2023. The victim, who was 16 at the time, went missing from the Salempur area a day after attending her cousin's wedding. Investigation revealed that the accused had lured the teenager with a false promise of marriage.
He then forcibly took her to Bengaluru, where he was employed at a sweet shop. For approximately two months, she was held against her will and subjected to continuous sexual assault. Following an intensive search operation, the police successfully recovered the girl. A medical examination later confirmed that she had become pregnant during her captivity.
Court's Powerful Observations and Rejection of Defence
While the defence counsel argued that the allegations were baseless, the court firmly upheld the testimony of the survivor. The judge emphasized that "no woman would stake her reputation on a charge of this traumatic nature without truth." The court made profound observations on the impact of such crimes.
"Rape is not merely an assault; it completely destroys the victim's entire personality. A rapist attacks not only the victim's privacy and personal liberty but also inflicts severe psychological and physical trauma," the court stated. It further noted the long-term damage, highlighting the strong possibility of future depression and a life rendered "bleak and dark." The court expressed doubt that the young woman, now 22, would ever fully recover.
Verdict Aligns with National Campaigns for Women's Safety
Special Judge Om Prakash Verma, who previously presided over the 2016 Bulandshahr gangrape case verdict, connected the sentence to broader national efforts. He remarked that while governments promote campaigns like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', failing to take a strict stance against such barbaric acts makes these initiatives meaningless.
"In cases like these, adopting a lenient approach toward convicts is not justified from the standpoint of justice, as the crime has been committed with inhumanity and extreme brutality," the court asserted, justifying the severe punishment. The convict, who was out on bail, was immediately taken into custody after the verdict. Additionally, the court imposed a fine of Rs 30,000, directing the entire sum to be paid to the survivor as compensation.
