A specialized POCSO court has awarded a 20-year sentence of rigorous imprisonment to a young man convicted of sexually assaulting a minor girl in a case dating back to late September 2024. In an unusual decision aiming to blend stern punishment with personal reformation, the tribunal also imposed a fine of ₹6,000 and ordered mandatory daily social service tasks until the convict reaches 21 years of age.
Background of the Abduction and Legal Action
The details shared by Special Public Prosecutor Virendra Singh Bhanawat reveal that the incident occurred on 24 September 2024, when a minor boy enticed and lured his minor female acquaintance away from her residence situated within a local police station jurisdiction. The offender kept the victim in unlawful confinement for three to four days and subjected her to repeated sexual assault. Following the ordeal, a formal complaint was lodged by the victim's family on 25 September 2024. Law enforcement authorities acted promptly by detaining the juvenile offender and committing him to a Juvenile Justice Home.
Transfer from Juvenile Board to Adult Trial
Because the accused was under 17 years of age at the time of the offense, initial proceedings took place before the Juvenile Justice Board. However, considering the extreme gravity of the crime and the fact that the perpetrator was above 16 years old, the board evaluated the case under statutory provisions for heinous offenses. The board determined that the youth should be tried as an adult, leading to the case being transferred to POCSO Court No. 2. Regular judicial hearings commenced before this specialized bench on 5 February 2025. After examining all witness testimonies and forensic evidence presented during the trial, the court delivered its final judgment on Wednesday.
Sentence Details and Transition to Central Jail
At the time of the verdict, the convict reached 18 years and 19 days of age. Under the court's detailed sentencing structure, the youth will not be immediately dispatched to an adult prison population. Instead, he will remain housed at the Juvenile Justice Home until he turns 21 years old. Once he completes his 21st year, he will be transferred to a Central Jail to serve out the remainder of his 20-year term of rigorous imprisonment.
Three Mandatory Daily Tasks for Rehabilitation
To promote constructive psychological, physical, social, and educational development during his youth, the judge mandated three distinct social service activities that the convict must perform every single day until reaching age 21
- Academic Development: The convict must spend 2 hours daily attending counseling sessions and pursuing studies at a designated technical or educational institution.
- Environmental Service: The convict is required to dedicate 2 hours every day to tree plantation and environmental conservation work coordinated by the office of the Deputy Conservator of Forests or a related environmental agency.
- Social Service: The convict must provide 1 hour of daily voluntary service at 'Apna Ghar' or an accredited shelter home, caring for senior citizens and individuals with mental disabilities.
