Man Sentenced to 20 Years’ Rigorous Imprisonment Under POCSO Act

 Bidar: A court in Bidar has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl at a sugar factory premises in Bhalki taluk in January 2023.

Additional District and Sessions Judge BK Komala, who heard the case, sentenced Maruti, a resident of Wadwani taluk of Maharashtra’s Beed district, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The court, in its October 8 order, also imposed a fine of Rs 30,000, with an additional 30 days of simple imprisonment in case of default.

According to the prosecution, the accused was working as a tractor driver transporting sugarcane to a Sugar Factory in Bhalki taluk. The girl and her family were staying in a shed on the factory premises.

In November 2022, while the victim’s family members went out for sugarcane-cutting work, the girl would remain alone in the shed to prepare food. The accused allegedly began speaking to her frequently and, over the next 15 to 20 days, asked her to enter into a relationship with him, promising to marry her. The girl refused, telling him that she was still young and wanted to continue her education.

On January 30, 2023, at around 2.30 pm, the accused allegedly entered the shed when the girl was alone and sexually assaulted her. He allegedly assaulted her again when the family members were away.

The offence came to light after the girl became pregnant.

Following the investigation, a charge sheet was filed against the accused under Sections 366 and 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act.

Special Public Prosecutor Santosh Kumar T Siddeshwar represented the prosecution.