Mira-Bhayandar: A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court attached to the district sessions court, Thane has sentenced a 56-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) for raping her 8-year-old niece on multiple occasions during the pandemic induced lockdown in 2020.
The victim’s mother had sent her daughter to stay with her sister-in-law’s house in Mira Road before heading to their native village in Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) on 20, March, 2020.
However, due to the travel restrictions due to the imposition of the pandemic induced lockdown, she was held up and managed to return to Mumbai on 30, June, 2020. Taking advantage of the situation, the girls uncle raped her on multiple occasions between 20, March to 15, June 2020.
The matter came to light after the girl narrated about her order on 10, April, 2021 following which a complaint was registered by her mother on the same day at the Naya Nagar police station in Mira Road. The accused was arrested and booked under sections 376 (2) of the IPC and sections 4 & 8 of POCSO Act, 2012.
During the course of trial, nine witnesses were examined. Finding the accused guilty of the crime, Judge Vasudha L. Bhosale sentenced him to 20 years’ RI while imposing a fine of Rs.1,000. In case of default in payment, the convict will have to suffer simple imprisonment for one more month.
Since, the accused was in jail ( from 10 April 2021 to 7, December, 2023 and from 20, December.2023 till present) therefore, he is entitled to get the benefit of set off under section 428 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the order stated. While Advocate Varsha Chandane was the special public prosecutor, police sub inspector-Sunil Salunkhe had investigated the case and filed a watertight charge sheet supported by crucial evidence.
Considering the serious nature of offence and mental trauma suffered by the minor girl, the court referred the case to the District Legal Services Authority, Thane for consideration of compensation under the victim compensation scheme provided under Section 357-A (1) of Cr.P.C. ( if it is permitted in rules) for being paid to the victim
