Chandrapur: District and Sessions Judge PM Gupta sentenced a 30-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and levied a 5,000 fine for sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl in Vandra, Brahmapuri taluka, in 2022. Court further ordered the fine amount be paid to the victim as compensation.The incident occurred at the Gurukunj Ashram temple premises in Vandra between 10.15am and 11am on August 27, 2022. According to prosecution, the minor was playing in the premises when the accused, Yuvraj Meshram sexually assaulted her. The complainant rushed to the spot as the girl raised an alarm. Meshram was seen fleeing the spot after the incident.Brahmapuri police registered a case under Section 376(AB) of IPC and Sections 6 and 10 of POCSO Act and arrested Meshram. IO PSI Swati Phulekar collected witness statements, medical evidence and other circumstantial evidence before filing the chargesheet.Public Prosecutor Sudhakar Degawar represented prosecution. Court accepted the prosecution’s evidence and convicted Meshram under Section 6 of POCSO Act. In default of payment of the fine, the accused was also sentenced to one month of simple imprisonment.
