Jalpaiguri, 05th March: The Jalpaiguri POCSO court has sentenced the accused to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor.
As per reports, the crime took place on June 12, 2024, under the jurisdiction of Bhakti Nagar police station in the Siliguri Police Commissionerate. Allegedly, an elderly neighbour called the minor girl and sexually assaulted her while she was alone at home. He also threatened her not to disclose the incident. A few days later, the accused attempted the heinous crime again.
The minor later informed her mother, who then lodged a complaint at the police station. Following an investigation, the police arrested the accused, and a charge sheet was filed in November. Testimonies of nine individuals were recorded in the case, and the verdict was delivered within three months of framing the charge.
On Wednesday, Public Prosecutor (PP) Debashis Dutta stated that the judge sentenced the accused to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹20,000. In case of default, an additional two months of imprisonment was ordered.
Additionally, the judge directed the District Legal Service Authority to provide ₹4 lakh as compensation to the minor.
