Thane court sentences two men to 20 years RI for rape of minor girl

A Thane court has sentenced two men including one physically challenged to 20 years rigorous imprisonment for rape of a 12yearold girl in 2019 observing they ruined the childs entire life which is an irreparable harm reported news agency PTISpecial POCSO court judge Ruby U Malvankar in the order passed on June 29 also imposed a fine of Rs 26000 each on the two accused reported PTIA copy of the order was made available on WednesdayThe judge directed that the fine amount be recovered from the accused and paid to the victim as compensationShe also directed that the judgement be referred to the District Legal Services Authority DLSA for payment of compensation to the victim reported PTISpecial Public Prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale told the Thane court that the victim and her siblings resided with their grandparents in Kalwa area of Maharashtras Thane city reported PTIIn October 2019 the victim and her friend went to a park where one of the accused now aged 24 lured her under some pretextHe took her to the hut of the other 27yearold accused who is physically challenged where the latter raped her and gagged her when she raised an alarm The accused also threatened to kill her and asked her not to inform about the offence to anyone reported PTIHe later also raped her on multiple occasions after threatening herThe girl approached the police with a complaint against the duo on December 3 2019 following which they were arrestedThe court convicted them under relevant legal provisions including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO ActThe judge in her order said In view of the evidence produced by the prosecution the involvement of both the accused persons in the commission of said crime is distinct and clear reported PTIThe court said that while one of the accused did not participate personally in committing the offence of forcible penetrative sexual assault on the victim he abetted and aided the commission of such offence reported PTIHe took the victim every time to the hut of the other accused with the knowledge that the latter would be committing the heinous crime the judge said reported PTIThe accused despite being lame and limping committed the offence causing bodily injuries to the girl on more than one occasion she saidIn the light of facts and circumstances of the case evidence adduced and arguments advanced it appears that both the accused have committed a serious and heinous crime and have ruined the entire life of a barely 12 year old child which is an irreparable harm which cannot be compensated in any manner the court said reported PTIAt the same time the fact that both the accused are young persons and one of them is also physically challenged are the mitigating factors that are required to be considered while imposing sentence it saidTherefore in the considered view of this court instead of awarding life imprisonment or death the accused are required to be imposed the minimum punishment prescribed along with fine and that should meet the ends of justice the judge said reported PTIWith inputs from PTI