BASAR, 22 Aug: A special POCSO court here in Leparada district convicted a 24-year-old man and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) for kidnapping and repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor girl.

The accused, Deepak Debnath, was convicted under Section 363 of the IPC and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

The judgment was delivered on 21 August by Special Judge (POCSO) Jaweplu Chai in POCSO Case No 02/2024, arising out of Daporijo Police Station Case No 22/2024.

According to the case records, the convict, who was working as a cook at a local restaurant in Daporijo, kidnapped a 13-year-and-8-month-old minor girl on 19 March, 2024 from New Market, Daporijo. The minor was subsequently taken to Dumporijo and unlawfully confined at different locations, including a local hotel and a rented accommodation in Fishery Colony, where she was subjected to repeated sexual assault.

The matter came to light following an FIR lodged by the victim's mother at the Daporijo police station on 25 March, 2024.

Acting promptly on the complaint, a police team led by Sub-Inspector T Kaye traced and rescued the minor child and apprehended the accused.

After examining the evidence and materials placed before it during the trial, the special court found that the victim was a minor at the time of the incident, and that the prosecution had established the offences committed by the accused.

The court accordingly held him guilty and convicted him under Section 363 IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012.

For the offence under Section 363 IPC, the court awarded five years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 3,000, with an additional six months' imprisonment in default of payment of the fine.

For the offence under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, the convict was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000, with an additional one year's imprisonment in default of payment of the fine. The sentences have been directed to run concurrently.

The court further ordered that the fine amount, upon realisation, be disbursed directly to the minor victim for her rehabilitation, in accordance with Section 6(2) of the POCSO Act, 2012. The period already spent in detention during investigation and trial has also been directed to be set off against the sentence as per law.

Special public prosecutor (POCSO) Karken Angu represented the state during the proceedings and assisted the court in the conduct of the prosecution and securing justice in the case.

The convict has also been duly informed of his right to appeal before the higher court, as well as his entitlement to legal aid for pursuing such proceedings. (DIPRO)