A special court designated for handling POCSO cases in Rajasthan's Churu district has delivered a stern verdict in a high-profile sexual assault case registered in 2024. The court found a juvenile offender guilty of the crime and sentenced him to six years of imprisonment. In its detailed order, the judiciary specified that the juvenile will remain confined at the designated place of safety in Bikaner until he attains the age of 21 years. Additionally, the court ordered that Rs 6 lakh be paid as financial compensation to the survivor under the victim compensation scheme to ensure justice and rehabilitation.
The Case Registered at the Women Police Station in 2024
This disturbing incident came to light in August 2024 when a formal complaint was lodged at the Churu women police station. According to the police report, a 15-year-old minor girl belonging to the Ratangarh police station area was residing at her maternal grandparents' village in Churu to pursue her studies and learn tailoring. She regularly traveled between her village and Churu for her tailoring classes. During one of these routine commutes, she happened to meet a juvenile offender at the Churu bus stand, and conversations gradually began between them.
The Crime Committed at a Hotel Room
According to the allegations levelled by the survivor's side, the juvenile took the girl along under the pretext of conversing just a day after their initial meeting. He lured her to a hotel named Sunrise located near the old bus stand in Churu, where he subjected the minor to sexual assault. The perpetrator also threatened the survivor with dire consequences and death if she disclosed the incident to anyone. Following this harrowing ordeal, the victim narrated the entire sequence of events to her family members, which prompted them to file a formal case at the Churu women police station.
Police Investigation and Judicial Ruling
Following the registration of the case, the Churu women police station acted promptly to conduct a thorough investigation and gathered all relevant evidence. Upon completion of the probe, the police filed a charge sheet in court. Regular hearings were subsequently conducted in the POCSO court. After hearing the arguments from both sides and meticulously examining the evidence and testimonies on record, the presiding officer established the guilt of the juvenile. This strict ruling has reinforced the survivor's hope for justice while sending out a strong message against juvenile delinquency.
