Himachal POCSO Court Imposes 25-Year Rigorous Imprisonment on Grandfather for Sexual Abuse
A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Hamirpur has delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing a 72-year-old man to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment for the continuous sexual assault of his minor granddaughter over a five-year period from 2017 to 2022.
Court Emphasizes Need for Strict Punishment to Uphold Judicial Faith
Special POCSO judge Bhuvnesh Awasthi described the offence as extremely grave and underscored the necessity for stringent punishment to maintain public confidence in the justice system. "The courts must see that the public does not lose confidence in the judicial system. Imposing inadequate sentences will do more harm to the justice system and may lead to a state where the victim loses confidence in the judicial system and resorts to private vengeance," the special judge remarked while pronouncing the judgment on Friday.
Substantial Compensation Ordered for Victim's Rehabilitation
The court directed the state government to pay Rs 10.30 lakh as compensation to the child victim for her relief and rehabilitation. According to the court's detailed order:
- 80% of the compensation amount will be deposited in a fixed deposit account in the victim's name until she attains the age of majority or for a minimum period of 3 years, whichever is later.
- The remaining 20% will be released for her immediate rehabilitation needs.
Psychological Impact and Vulnerability Highlighted
Highlighting the profound psychological consequences of the crime, the court observed that the child suffered severe mental trauma and pain, which could have lasting effects on her personality. Emphasizing her vulnerability and lack of adequate shelter, the court stressed the urgent need for comprehensive rehabilitation measures to support her recovery and future well-being.
Case Background and Disclosure of Abuse
The FIR in this distressing case was registered on September 2, 2022, following a complaint lodged by the chairman of the child welfare committee. The committee was alerted by the principal of the victim's residential school, who reported that the minor student disclosed the sexual abuse after returning to school following the summer vacation.
The court noted several critical details about the victim's circumstances:
- The victim's parents are divorced, and she resided with her grandparents.
- During summer vacations in June and July, when her residential school remained closed, the child stayed at her grandparents' home.
- The victim stated that during these periods, her grandfather forcibly maintained sexual relations with her, often when her grandmother was away from home.
Pattern of Abuse and Delayed Disclosure
The abuse reportedly began in 2017 when the victim was studying in Class V. She revealed to the court that her grandfather showed her disturbing video clips on his mobile phone and subsequently sexually assaulted her. Out of fear and due to threats from the accused, she did not disclose the abuse for several years. Eventually, she found the courage to confide in her class teacher and school principal, leading to the formal complaint and subsequent legal proceedings.
This case underscores the critical importance of protective mechanisms for children and the judicial system's role in delivering justice for the most vulnerable members of society.
