Delhi: Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Abducting, Raping Infant

Delhi’s Tis Hazari court has sentenced a man to ten years in prison for abducting and raping a one-and-a-half-year-old girl in 2019.

Special Judge (POCSO) Manoj Jain (II) sentenced the convict to ten years of imprisonment under Section 6 of the POCSO Act for raping the minor and imposed a fine of ₹1,000. Additionally, he was sentenced to three years under Section 363 of the IPC for kidnapping the child, with another fine of ₹1,000.

The prosecution sought the maximum possible sentence, arguing that the convict had committed a horrific crime against a minor and did not deserve any leniency. They emphasized that strict punishment was necessary to send a strong message to society.

The court also awarded ₹13.50 lakh in compensation to the victim. In determining the amount, the court considered the Victim Impact Assessment Report submitted by the Secretary, DLSA.

“Perusal of the same shows that the victim is now 6 years old. She suffered from internal injury due to the incident. It is further stated that the victim was admitted to LNJP hospital for around one month due to the incident,” the court noted.

The victim’s father also stated that he had spent ₹25,000 on her medical treatment following the incident.

The court acknowledged the victim’s suffering, stating that she endured pain, distress, and mental trauma. It emphasized the importance of Restorative and Compensatory Justice, considering the minor’s age and the impact of the crime. The court ruled:

“To give effect to the Restorative and Compensatory Justice, considering the entire facts and circumstances of the present case, including the age of the minor victim, for compensating the minor victim for the wrong committed upon her person and for her rehabilitation and relief, this Court is of the considered opinion that the victim should be awarded Rupees Thirteen Lakhs Fifty Thousand Only.”

The convict had submitted an affidavit detailing his financial condition, stating that he was 31 years old, unmarried, and worked as a painter earning around ₹8,000 per month. He also claimed that he was the sole caretaker of his elderly mother.

His defense lawyer argued that, given his age, socio-economic background, and the circumstances of the case, he should be granted leniency and released on probation.

The court had previously convicted him on December 4, 2024, under Sections 363 and 376AB of the IPC and Section 5(m), which carries a punishment under Section 6 of the POCSO Act.