Haridwar Fast-Track Court Delivers 20-Year Sentence in Heinous Stepdaughter Rape Case
A fast-track special court in Haridwar has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the repeated rape of his minor stepdaughter. Additional District Judge Chandramani Rai pronounced the judgment, also imposing a fine of Rs 30,000 on the convict, a tailor by profession.
Case Unraveled Through Audio Recording After Years of Abuse
The horrific case came to light in 2023 when the survivor, then 19 years old, approached police with compelling evidence. According to government counsel Bhupendra Singh Chauhan, the survivor presented an audio recording that supported her allegations, as her own mother had initially refused to believe her account.
In her detailed statement to authorities, the survivor revealed she was first sexually assaulted at the tender age of 11, with the abuse continuing repeatedly over subsequent years. She provided investigators with a recorded phone conversation in which the accused allegedly demanded sexual favours, creating crucial evidence for the prosecution.
Forensic Evidence Proved Decisive in Securing Conviction
Investigation officer Sonal Rawat confirmed that the forensic science laboratory report played a pivotal role in the case. The report established a definitive match between the voice samples from the recorded conversation and those of the accused, creating irrefutable evidence that proved instrumental in securing the conviction.
This forensic evidence became particularly significant as the survivor's own mother and sister testified in favour of the accused during the trial proceedings, creating additional challenges for the prosecution team.
Court Orders Substantial Compensation for Survivor
Beyond the prison sentence and financial penalty, the trial court issued additional directives to support the survivor's recovery. Judge Rai ordered the state government to provide Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the survivor within one month, specifically acknowledging the profound economic, social, and mental trauma she has endured.
The court examined six prosecution witnesses during the trial before reaching its conclusive verdict. The case was registered under multiple legal provisions, including IPC sections 376 (rape) and 511, along with relevant sections of the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
This judgment represents a significant application of fast-track court mechanisms designed to expedite justice in sensitive cases involving sexual violence against minors, particularly within family settings where survivors often face additional barriers to reporting abuse.
