Pune: The court of special judge B D Shelke in Baramati sentenced a 23-year-old grocery store owner to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor girl (8) for more than a year.Stating that the special public prosecutor, K S Navale, had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt, the court on Wednesday convicted the accused for his offence under sections 376 (2N) [repeated rape on same woman], 354 (attempt to outrage the modesty of a woman) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC, along with sections 4, 6, 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act.According the prosecution, the grocery store owner from a village in Daund subjected the minor girl to sexual assault on multiple occasions between Feb 2021 and March 2022. The incident came to light after the girl disclosed his acts to her mother on March 11, 2022, following which an FIR was registered at Yavat police station.The prosecution examined 10 witnesses, including the girl, her parents, medical officer and investigating officer, during the trial. The court relied on the consistent testimony of the girl, which it found credible and trustworthy.The medical evidence, including the medico-legal examination, corroborated the allegation of sexual assault. The court also accepted documentary evidence establishing that the survivor was below 12 years of age at the time of the assaults.The judge said, “It can be safely gathered that the evidence of the girl is free from doubt and she appears to be a truthful witness.”Rejecting the defence contention of false implication and delay in filing the FIR, the court observed that the explanation provided by the victim’s family was plausible. The court observed, “It is highly impossible for such reason the prudent parents would tarnish and scandalise the character of their minor daughter…”Invoking the presumption under Section 29 of the POCSO Act, the court held that the accused failed to rebut the evidence brought on record by the prosecution.
