Justice Served: 20-Year Sentence for Jalgaon Man in POCSO Case

A 32-year-old man has been condemned to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by a special POCSO Act court for the 2019 rape of a mentally challenged girl. Special Judge V A Patravale delivered the verdict against the accused, a Jalgaon resident, citing sections 376 of the Indian Penal Code along with relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

In this deeply troubling case, the 15-year-old victim, with a 'social age' of just four-and-a-half years, was found at Kalyan railway station. Her discovery led to an investigation that unveiled horrific details. A medical examination confirmed she was five months pregnant, linking the crime to the husband of her aunt following DNA analysis.

The court, underscoring the egregious abuse of the girl's vulnerability, also imposed a fine of Rs 40,000, mandated for the victim, and directed the District Legal Services Authority to ensure the girl's rehabilitation. Judge Patravale remarked on the divine intervention that led to her rescue and proper care.

(With inputs from agencies.)