Pune Court Imposes 20-Year Rigorous Imprisonment on Man for Raping Minor Nieces

A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Pune has sentenced a 56-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the repeated sexual assault of his two minor nieces. The court found the accused guilty of rape and criminal intimidation, imposing a significant penalty that underscores the severity of the crimes committed against vulnerable children.

Information was available with The Chenab Times that the assaults took place between January and November 2020. The court concluded that the convicted individual exploited his trusted position within the family to lure the girls, aged 12 and 13 at the time of the offenses, away from their home. The prosecution successfully established that the perpetrator subjected the girls to sexual assault both at his residence and in local lodges, creating a harrowing experience that remained concealed for months due to alleged threats against the victims and their parents.

The court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Dilip P Ragit, meticulously examined the evidence presented. The defense had attempted to argue that the alleged crimes could not have occurred during the COVID-induced lockdowns of 2020. However, the prosecution presented lodge registers that showed entries in the convict’s name on specific dates, countering the defense’s claims and confirming that the lodges were operational. The court noted that while some registers listed the name of a woman named ‘Swapna,’ this was determined to be a fabricated entry used to facilitate access when accompanied by the minor girls.

During the trial, the defense team pleaded for leniency, citing the convict’s age, lack of a prior criminal record, and the dependency of his wife and four children on him. However, the prosecution pushed for the maximum possible punishment, emphasizing the heinous nature of the offenses against the minor victims. Judge Ragit concurred with the prosecution’s assessment, convicting the man under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376(2)(f) and (n) for rape by a relative and repeated rape, as well as sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act for aggravated penetrative sexual assault. The court found sufficient evidence to prove the penetrative sexual assault and rape of the victims, along with criminal intimidation.

In addition to the 20-year prison sentence, the court also imposed a fine of ₹30,000. Recognizing the profound impact of the abuse on the victims, the court recommended that the District Legal Services Authority, Pune, determine an appropriate amount of compensation for the girls under the victim compensation scheme. This directive aims to support the rehabilitation and recovery of the survivors.

The convicted individual was the husband of the victims’ mother’s stepsister, a familial relationship that led the girls to refer to him as ‘uncle.’ The prosecution detailed how the accused would lure the girls from their home in Uruli Devachi under the guise of purchasing clothing and other items. The assaults reportedly occurred at his home and in various local lodges. The full extent of the abuse and the terror inflicted upon the children only came to light when one of the survivors confided in her aunt.

The investigation was initiated following an FIR registered on November 21, 2020, based on a complaint lodged by the mother of the rape survivors. The police filed their chargesheet on January 20, 2021. The severity of the charges, particularly under the POCSO Act, carries substantial penalties, underscoring the legislative intent to provide stringent protection for children against sexual offenses. This case highlights the critical role of special courts and robust legal frameworks in delivering justice for victims of child sexual abuse.

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