Mumbai: A 50-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special Pocso court despite DNA evidence excluding him as the father of his 15-year-old niece’s unborn child. The court found that he repeatedly raped the girl while her parents were at work in 2020. A neighbour, who witnessed the accused frequently visiting the girl, allegedly blackmailed and raped her as well. This second accused is currently absconding and believed to have impregnated the victim.
Special Judge JP Darekar also fined the accused Rs 6,000, which will be given to the victim as compensation. “The victim was 15 years old at the time of the incident. The incident caused an adverse impact on the mind and soul of the victim. No compensation can be adequate nor can it be of any respite for the victim. The humiliation… or the reputation that is snuffed out cannot be recompensated, but then, money compensation will at least provide some solace,” the judge said. The judge also stated that the case is to be recommended to the District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) for awarding compensation to the victim under the Manodhairya Scheme. The Manodhairya Scheme started in 2013 to ensure that victims of rape and acid attacks (women and children) were brought out from the psychological shock of the incident and provided with financial assistance, shelter, medical and legal aid, and counselling services to bring them back into the mainstream.
Special public prosecutor Rupali Metkewar cited the evidence of 12 witnesses, including the victim, her brother, neighbour, doctors, and police officers, to seek the conviction of the accused.
The accused was married to the victim’s paternal aunt. The victim deposed that the accused sexually assaulted her repeatedly. While her parents were at work, the accused visited her home. On one occasion, he entered her room, forcibly disrobed her, and raped her. He threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed the abuse. This pattern of abuse continued for several months. The victim also disclosed that another resident of her building also sexually assaulted her after witnessing her with the accused. He threatened her with exposure if she refused his advances. After the victim became pregnant, she told her mother.
The victim’s brother also testified that since his parents were employed, he and his sister (the victim) often remained home alone. Due to the lockdown, he was attending online classes. The accused lived in the same lane and frequently visited their house when his parents were away. The accused sometimes gave him money to buy snacks or sweets, often sending him out of the house. Occasionally, he would spend 2-2.5 hours playing outside. Another man, the absconding accused, also visited their home in their parents’ absence. That man would also give him small amounts of money to purchase food from a shop. The witness noticed the victim appearing distressed or crying while at home.
Mumbai: A 50-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special Pocso court despite DNA evidence excluding him as the father of his 15-year-old niece’s unborn child. The court found that he repeatedly raped the girl while her parents were at work in 2020. A neighbour, who witnessed the accused frequently visiting the girl, allegedly blackmailed and raped her as well. This second accused is currently absconding and believed to have impregnated the victim.
Special Judge JP Darekar also fined the accused Rs 6,000, which will be given to the victim as compensation. “The victim was 15 years old at the time of the incident. The incident caused an adverse impact on the mind and soul of the victim. No compensation can be adequate nor can it be of any respite for the victim. The humiliation… or the reputation that is snuffed out cannot be recompensated, but then, money compensation will at least provide some solace,” the judge said. The judge also stated that the case is to be recommended to the District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) for awarding compensation to the victim under the Manodhairya Scheme. The Manodhairya Scheme started in 2013 to ensure that victims of rape and acid attacks (women and children) were brought out from the psychological shock of the incident and provided with financial assistance, shelter, medical and legal aid, and counselling services to bring them back into the mainstream.
Special public prosecutor Rupali Metkewar cited the evidence of 12 witnesses, including the victim, her brother, neighbour, doctors, and police officers, to seek the conviction of the accused.
The accused was married to the victim’s paternal aunt. The victim deposed that the accused sexually assaulted her repeatedly. While her parents were at work, the accused visited her home. On one occasion, he entered her room, forcibly disrobed her, and raped her. He threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed the abuse. This pattern of abuse continued for several months. The victim also disclosed that another resident of her building also sexually assaulted her after witnessing her with the accused. He threatened her with exposure if she refused his advances. After the victim became pregnant, she told her mother.
The victim’s brother also testified that since his parents were employed, he and his sister (the victim) often remained home alone. Due to the lockdown, he was attending online classes. The accused lived in the same lane and frequently visited their house when his parents were away. The accused sometimes gave him money to buy snacks or sweets, often sending him out of the house. Occasionally, he would spend 2-2.5 hours playing outside. Another man, the absconding accused, also visited their home in their parents’ absence. That man would also give him small amounts of money to purchase food from a shop. The witness noticed the victim appearing distressed or crying while at home.
