AGRA: A man, now 20, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special Pocso court in Firozabad for the gang rape of a 10-year-old girl in 2021.
The Juvenile Justice Board had sent the case of the offender, 17 at the time, to the special court after determining that he should be tried as an adult as he had the mental and physical capacity to understand the consequences of his crime.
On March 15, 2021, the survivor, who was then 10 years old, was playing and wandered into the house of a neighbour, who raped her along with his friend. The two fled when the girl’s brother arrived looking for her. The family reported the incident at the North police station, filing a case of gang rape. Following an investigation, the police filed charges against the two minors.
JJB separated the case of the 17-year-old neighbour
The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) earlier said that both offenders were minors, but it separated the case of the 17-year-old neighbour and sent it to the special Pocso court while it is still hearing the other accused’s case. The Juvenile Justice Act allows the prosecution of minors as adults in cases involving heinous offences. Based on the convict’s evaluation, the court decided to try him as an adult while the other accused is being tried in a JJB court.
Special public prosecutor Sanjeev Kumar Sharma said, “Nine witnesses testified, and forensic and medical reports were submitted as evidence in court. The court of special judge Mumtaz Ali convicted the accused under IPC section 376 DA (gang rape against women under 16 years old) and section 5KM/6 of the Pocso Act. The court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment under both sections.” The convict was also fined Rs 20,000 — to be handed over to the survivor — failing which he would have to serve more time in prison.
