E-Paper
Ambala youth awarded 20-year RI for raping 11-year-old cousin
Ambala court also fines the convict ₹5,000, to be paid to the survivor, as per the provisions of Section 376-AB of the Indian Penal Code
A fast-track court in Ambala on Wednesday sentenced a 20-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping his 11-year-old cousin in June 2019.
The convict was held guilty under Sections 376-AB (rape on woman under twelve years of age) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
“He committed rape upon his own cousin who was 11 years and 10 months old. He was aware about the nature of act committed by him and the minor child faced the most traumatic experience of sexual assault by her own cousin brother,” the court said, while sentencing the youth to 20-year rigorous imprisonment under Section 376-AB with a fine of ₹5,000 and two years under Section 506 of the IPC.
The fine will be paid to the survivor, as per the provisions of the former section, and the sentences will run concurrently, the court said.
While recommending a compensation of ₹2 lakh by the District Legal Services Authority, in accordance with the provisions of the POCSO Act, the court observed, “Although adverse effect on the psyche of the minor is immeasurable and cannot be compensated in any manner...considering the mental agony faced by her and keeping in view the facts and circumstances, compensation of ₹2 lakh is awarded.”
As the convict was less than 17-years-old at the time of the crime, he was sent to a place of safety in Karnal till he attains the age of 21, as per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. He will be transferred to a jail thereafter.
