Nuh Fast-Track Court Delivers 10-Year Sentence in Minor Assault Case
A special fast-track court in Nuh dealing with Pocso cases delivered a strong verdict on Wednesday. The court sentenced a man to ten years of rigorous imprisonment for attempting to rape a minor girl. Additional sessions judge Ashu Sanjeev Tinjan also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the convicted individual.
Court's Strict Directions on Fine and Custody Period
The court issued clear instructions regarding the penalty. Judge Tinjan stated that failure to pay the Rs 25,000 fine would result in an additional one year of simple imprisonment. The court further ordered that the period the accused had already spent in judicial custody should be set off against the total sentence duration. This sentencing was awarded under Section 18 of the Pocso Act, which specifically deals with punishment for attempts to commit offences under this law.
Village Incident and Immediate Response
According to police records, the disturbing incident occurred in September 2022. The location was a village within the Punhana block of Nuh district. The victim's father filed a formal complaint detailing what happened.
On September 15, around 4 to 5 in the evening, the minor girl went to a field to collect wood. The accused man was hiding there. He overpowered the girl, stuffed a cloth into her mouth, and then attempted to rape her.
Villagers heard the commotion and rushed to the spot. They caught the accused red-handed. The villagers promptly informed both the survivor's family and the accused person's family about the incident.
Threats and Additional Allegations
Police investigations revealed further troubling details. The accused's father allegedly threatened the complainant. He warned of false implication and even death if his son was not released from custody.
During the investigation, the minor girl made another serious allegation. She stated that the same accused had actually raped her approximately one and a half months before this attempted assault. She claimed he threatened to make her photographs viral if she disclosed the earlier crime to anyone.
However, police officials noted that this particular allegation about the earlier incident could not be proved during the trial proceedings. The court based its conviction primarily on the attempted rape case from September 2022.
Legal Process and Final Conviction
Police registered a formal case and conducted a thorough investigation. Following the investigation, the trial moved forward in the judicial system.
The legal process spanned nearly three years from the incident to the final verdict. After hearing all arguments and examining evidence, the court reached its decision. The conviction relied heavily on the victim's statement and supporting evidence presented on record.
This case highlights the functioning of fast-track courts specifically established to handle Pocso cases. These courts aim to deliver quicker justice in sensitive matters involving crimes against children.
