Srinagar: The Principal District and Sessions Court, Ganderbal, on Monday sentenced a man to 20 years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹50,000 for sexually assaulting a minor six years ago.
Principal Sessions Judge Abdul Nasir had on February 5 convicted the accused, Rouf Ahmad Ganie, son of Bashir Ahmad Ganie, a resident of Takiya Khulmulla, Ganderbal, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
FIR No. 01/2020 was registered against the accused at Police Station Lar under Sections 363, 376 and 506 IPC, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.
According to the prosecution, the case came to light on January 3, 2020, when the complainant approached the police after his minor daughter complained of abdominal pain. Medical examination at SKIMS Soura revealed that the girl was pregnant. The pregnancy, approximately six weeks old, was later medically terminated on court orders. DNA samples of the foetus were sent to FSL Srinagar, which linked the pregnancy to the accused
During the investigation, the victim’s age was determined to be 14 years and 17 days on the basis of school records and dental examination. Her statement was recorded under Section 164 CrPC and offences were established against the accused. After completion of the investigation, the chargesheet was presented before the court, resulting in his conviction.
On Monday, the court awarded the convict 20 years’ simple imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50,000, directing that the fine amount be paid to the victim. In default of payment, the convict shall undergo an additional six months’ imprisonment.
The court also ordered that the period already spent in custody during the trial shall be set off against the sentence.
