Shahdol Court Awards Death Penalty in Rare POCSO Case of 3-Year-Old's Murder
A court in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district has handed down the death penalty to a man convicted of murdering a three-year-old girl. The court firmly stated that this offence falls into the 'rarest of rare' category, deserving the maximum sentence permitted by law.
Conviction and Sentencing Details
The trial concluded for a case originally registered at Khairha police station in March 2023. The court found the prime accused, Bhanu alias Ramnarayan Dhimar, guilty on multiple charges. These included murder under IPC Section 302, causing disappearance of evidence under Section 201, criminal intimidation under Section 506(B), and offences under Sections 5(m)/6 of the POCSO Act.
Besides imposing the death penalty under the POCSO Act, the court also sentenced him to life imprisonment for the murder charge. Additional jail terms and fines were levied under other sections. Two co-accused individuals, Rajkumar Barman and Pinky Barman, faced conviction under IPC Section 506(2). Each received a sentence of four years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine.
Case Background and Investigation
The tragic incident came to light in early March 2023. Authorities discovered the three-year-old girl in a critical condition at her home in a village under Khairha police station limits. She received initial medical attention at Budhar hospital before being referred to Shahdol Medical College.
Doctors at the medical college informed police that the child required ventilator support and was fighting for her life. Sadly, she passed away during treatment on March 7, 2023. Following her death, police registered a formal case and conducted thorough post-mortem and forensic examinations.
Based on medical opinions and investigation findings, authorities added sections related to murder and offences under the POCSO Act. The probe included DNA testing and other scientific evidence collection to build a strong case.
Trial Proceedings and Court Observations
During the trial, the prosecution presented comprehensive evidence including medical reports, forensic findings, and witness testimonies. These materials helped establish a clear chain of events leading to the conviction.
The court agreed with the prosecution's final arguments, holding the prime accused guilty without any leniency. While announcing the sentence, the court emphasized that crimes against young children strike at the very conscience of society. Such acts demand a strong judicial response.
The court noted that this punishment serves not only to penalize the guilty but also to act as a deterrent against similar crimes in the future. It acknowledged the efforts of police personnel and court staff who ensured the presence of prosecution witnesses throughout the trial.
Legal Representation
Assistant District Public Prosecutor Kubendra Shah Thakur prosecuted the case on behalf of the state. He received assistance from ADPO Santosh Kumar Patle during the legal proceedings. Their work contributed to securing this significant verdict in a case that has drawn public attention to crimes against children.
