A special POCSO court in Rajasthan's Barmer district has delivered a stern ruling by sentencing a man to imprisonment until his last breath for raping a seven-year-old girl. Delivering the verdict, the court firmly observed that perpetrators of such inhumane and abhorrent violence against innocent minors do not deserve any degree of leniency or mercy under the law.
Judge Overcome With Emotion While Delivering Judgment
Taking into account the extreme gravity and sensitive nature of the crime, the presiding officer, District and Sessions Judge Ajitabh Acharya, pronounced the punishment in a courtroom that fell completely silent. The judge himself was visibly moved while reading out the decision. The court observed that treating such horrific offences lightly would undermine public trust and jeopardize the safety of children, making the strictest possible punishment necessary.
Hefty Penalty on Convict and Compensation for the Survivor
The court found the accused, Magh Singh, son of Tej Singh and a resident of Indira Nagar in Barmer, guilty of the charges and awarded him life imprisonment extending to his natural life. Additionally, the judge imposed a financial penalty of Rs 1.75 lakh on the convict. To ensure the proper rehabilitation and future support of the minor survivor and her family, the court issued strict directives to the state government to provide financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh. Special Public Prosecutor Damodar Kumar Chaudhary stated that the prosecution established the case by examining 20 witnesses alongside presenting 44 official documents and 18 material articles before the bench.
Strict Rebuke for Police Investigation and Order for CCTV Surveillance
While passing the judgment, Judge Ajitabh Acharya raised serious concerns regarding the manner in which the police conducted the investigation and severely reprimanded the investigating officer. The court remarked that in delicate cases involving child abuse, law enforcement authorities must act with heightened sensitivity, promptness, and meticulous evidence-gathering procedures. Pointing out procedural shortcomings, the bench issued mandatory administrative guidelines to prevent similar lapses in the future. Prioritizing child safety and public order, the court specifically instructed the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police to mandatorily install CCTV cameras across all prominent public locations in the district.
Child Lured From Playground to Isolated Bushes
The incident came to light after the victim's father submitted a written complaint at the Barmer Women Police Station on 19 July 2026. The complaint detailed that his seven-year-old daughter was playing outside their residence when the accused, Magh Singh, enticed her away to an isolated patch of acacia bushes and subjected her to brutal sexual abuse. Following their inquiry, the police filed a chargesheet confirming charges under sections 65(2), 96, and 137(2) of the BNS, as well as sections 5M/6 and 11(iv)/12 of the POCSO Act.
