A 40-year-old man was awarded a life sentence after being found guilty of raping his 10-year-old stepdaughter by a special POCSO court in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
The first 10 years of his sentence will be under rigorous imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 80,000 on the convict, half of which will be paid to the victim, IANS reported.
The verdict was announced on Wednesday after a 26-day trial. Medical reports of child played a crucial role in the conviction of accused.
Special district government counsel (POCSO) Alka Upmanyu as per news agency IANS said, “On May 18, 2023, the victim’s mother lodged a complaint at the Farah police station alleging that her husband took the minor to a secluded place and raped her. Police registered an FIR against the accused under IPC sections 377 (unnatural offence) and 506 (criminal intimidation), and section 5/6 of the POCSO Act. Later, based on the victim’s statement before a magistrate, IPC section 376AB (rape on a woman up to 12 years of age) was added.”
“Police arrested the accused within 24 hours of filing the FIR and a foolproof charge sheet was filed,” Upmanyu added.
During the trial, the girl gave a precise testimony of the entire incident.
She was threatened by the accused not to report the matter to the police, her mother told the court. (CNI)
