Agartala: A special Pocso court in West Tripura on Friday sentenced a 52-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter in April 2024. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000.The crime took place on the night of April 15, 2024, after the child’s mother briefly left the bedroom. When she returned, she found the girl bleeding on the floor and raised an alarm. Neighbours rushed in and the child was taken to hospital for urgent treatment.A complaint was filed the next day at Mandai police station, triggering an investigation that led to a charge sheet against the accused. Special public prosecutor Jayanta Chowdhury said, “The judge’s verdict was unequivocal, and the convict is to spend the remainder of his life behind bars.”After the incident, the mother placed the child in a childcare home, citing financial constraints. The girl has since returned to school and is reported to be doing well.