Farmer gets 20 yrs in jail for raping girl in 2023

Pilibhit: A Pocso court on Thursday sentenced a 26-year-old farmer to 20 years in jail for raping a 14-year-old girl from his village in Pilibhit three years back. The convict remained lodged in jail from the day he was arrested as all his bail pleas were rejected in view of the crime's severity.The minor's father said that on Nov 23, 2023, his daughter and her two friends went to collect firewood at the village pond where the convict scared the minor's friends away and raped her. He also threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter to anyone or took it up with the police. The survivor later reached home and narrated the ordeal to her mother.A case was registered under IPC sections 376(3) (rape of a woman under 16 years of age), 506 (criminal intimidation) and Pocso Act's sections 3 and 4 (penetrative sexual assault). Police sent the minor for medical examination and arrested the man the same day.Public prosecutor Anil Kumar Sharma told TOI that the survivor affirmed the charges during her court statements which were corroborated by medical and forensic examination reports. "After hearing arguments of both sides, and examining evidence and witness testimonies, the court found the man guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in jail under IPC section 376(3) and Pocso Act with a Rs 1 lakh fine.""Additionally, the court sentenced him to two years in jail under IPC section 506 with a penalty of Rs 5,000. Both sentences will run concurrently. The court of additional district and sessions judge Geeta Singh also directed the entire amount to the minor along with financial compensation from state," he added.