A court in Gurgaon has delivered a stern verdict, convicting a man for the heinous crime of raping his own 16-year-old daughter and sentencing him to a decade behind bars. The judgement, pronounced on January 8, 2026, brings a measure of justice in a case that highlights the vulnerability of minors within their own homes.
How the Horrific Crime Came to Light
The incident, which occurred in August 2023, was brought to the authorities' attention by an alert Anganwadi worker. The minor girl, during a visit to the centre, bravely confided in the worker about the repeated sexual assaults by her father. She further revealed that the accused had threatened to kill her if she ever disclosed the abuse to anyone.
Acting swiftly on this information, the Anganwadi worker reported the matter at the Sector-9A police station in Gurgaon. The police immediately registered a First Information Report (FIR). The case was filed under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Police Investigation and Legal Charges
A thorough investigation was launched based on the girl's statement. The probe, along with supporting medical evidence, built a strong case against the accused. The charges were later refined during the investigation. The final chargesheet was filed under Section 376(2)(f) of the IPC, which deals with the aggravated offence of rape by a person in a position of trust or authority over the victim.
The accused, identified as a resident of West Bengal, did not evade the law for long. The Gurgaon police managed to arrest him within one month of the case being registered, demonstrating prompt action in the sensitive matter.
Court's Judgement and Sentence
After a full trial where the evidence, chargesheet, and witness testimonies were meticulously examined, the court found the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In its ruling on January 8, the court imposed a stringent punishment.
The convict was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 under the IPC section for rape. For the offence of criminal intimidation to silence his daughter, the court awarded an additional 2 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 506 IPC.
This conviction underscores the critical role played by community workers, like the Anganwadi employee, in identifying and reporting child sexual abuse. It also reaffirms the judiciary's commitment to imposing severe penalties in POCSO cases, especially those involving perpetrators in positions of familial trust.
