Haryana youth sentenced to 10-year RI for sexually assaulting minor girl

GURGAON: A youth accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl and threatening to pour acid on her face if she reported the matter was awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by the fast track court of Panipat. The victim initially named another person out of fear, and the accused was arrested a year after the incident.
The victim, aged 16, was on her way to school when she was taken to an unknown place by the accused and sexually assaulted. The victim’s brother, who studied in the same school, informed their mother about the absence of his sister from school, leading to the exposure of the crime and the registration of a case under section 4 of the POCSO Act, section 376A, and 506 of IPC at Tehsil Camp police station of Panipat on October 19, 2022.
Initially, the victim named Sunil as the accused. During the investigation, Sunil was found innocent, and almost one year later, police arrested Abhinav alias Abhi on November 23, 2023.
During her statement given before the court, the victim mentioned that she used to take tuition from the accused Abhinav’s sister. While coming and going to the tuition, the accused used to tease her. When she resisted his advances, the accused threatened to pour acid on her face and kill her brother. On October 19, 2022, when she was going to school, the accused took her to an unknown place on a two-wheeler and raped her. Later, the accused dropped her near her house.
The brother of the victim also studied in the same school, and he told their mother about the absence of the victim from school. When inquired about the absence from school, the victim narrated everything. Following this, a case was registered. She mentioned that the accused threatened to eliminate her family, and out of fear, she initially took the name of Sunil instead of the accused.
Mukesh Kumar, Public Prosecutor, argued that the version of the victim was fully corroborated with other ocular versions of the witness and remained consistent throughout. The victim narrated the entire incident before the police and court. There was no inconsistency in her statement. The medical record also proved the involvement of the accused in the crime.
Mohit Kuhar, counsel for the accused, argued that the accused was being falsely implicated in the case and raised questions over the police investigation.
Considering the statement of the witness, medical report, and DNA report, the court observed that “A close analysis of the facts and circumstances of the case, and the nature of the evidence available unequivocally establishes the accused Abhinav as the perpetrator of sexual assault on the victim."
Additional Session Judge of the fast track court (POCSO) Panipat, Sukhpreet Singh, in its order dated January 7, observed that the act committed by the accused is highly “condemnable” and the nature, extent, and gravity of the crime are such that the accused deserves no “leniency.”
“The offence of rape is not only against the child but against the society as well. Such types of crimes are increasing in society at an alarming speed. The court cannot take such types of crime lightly,” observed the court and advocated for dealing with such accused and offences with a stern and heavy hand.
The court awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to the accused and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000. The court also directed the district legal service authority to award compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the victim under the victim compensation scheme.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)