Mathura, 20 July; A special POCSO court in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, sentenced a 40-year-old man to life in prison for raping his 10-year-old stepdaughter. After a 26-day trial, the verdict was pronounced on Wednesday. The first ten years of his sentence will be spent in solitary confinement.
The court also imposed an Rs 80,000 punishment on the defendant, half of which would be handed to the victim.
“On May 18, 2023, victim’s mother lodged complaint at Farah police station alleging that her husband took minor to secluded place and raped her,” said special district government counsel (POCSO) Alka Upmanyu.
Police filed a FIR against the accused under IPC sections 377 (unnatural offence) and 506 (criminal intimidation), as well as POCSO Act sections 5/6. Later, based on the victim’s statement before the magistrate, IPC section 376AB (rape on a girl under the age of 12) was applied.
“Police arrested the accused within 24 hours of filing the FIR,” Upmanyu stated, “and a foolproof charge sheet was filed.” During the trial, the girl provided detailed evidence about the whole episode.
Her mother said in court that the accused intimidated her not to report the incident to the police. The medical reports of the youngster were also significant in the accused’s conviction.
