Step father of victim, friend get 20 yrs’ RI in sexual assault case

The convicts were also sentenced to five years each for kidnapping and abduction, and one year for causing hurt; the sentences will run in accordance with the court’s directions

LUCKNOW Nearly four years after a minor girl was allegedly abducted from her home by her step father in the middle of the night, gang-raped and assaulted, a special Pocso court in Lucknow has sentenced two men to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) each.

According to police, the case was registered at Hazratganj police station on November 7, 2022. (Pic for representation)

“The court also imposed a fine of ₹51,000 on each convict after holding them guilty of gang rape under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and the Indian Penal Code,” said Vikram Singh, SHO, Hazratganj.

The convicts were identified as Dadu alias Akash Kannaujiya,step-father of the minor, and his friend Tusi alias Aditya Gupta, both residents of Hazratganj area, added the SHO.

According to police, the case was registered at Hazratganj police station on November 7, 2022, after it was alleged that the minor girl had been kidnapped during the night and sexually assaulted. Initially, the FIR named Dadu alias Akash. During investigation, police found the involvement of Tusi alias Aditya Gupta, who was subsequently arrested.

The case was tried before the Special Pocso court in Lucknow. Police said it was taken up under the state’s Operation Conviction initiative, under which investigators and prosecutors coordinated to ensure witnesses appeared before the court on time and the trial progressed without delay.

Besides the 20-year rigorous imprisonment awarded under Section 376D of the IPC and the Pocso Act, the convicts were also sentenced to five years each for kidnapping and abduction, and one year for causing hurt. The sentences will run in accordance with the court’s directions.