Witnesses U-turn, but UP man gets 10 years' jail for raping daughter

AGRA: A district court in Aligarh has sentenced a 40-year-old man to 10 years' imprisonment along with Rs 50,000 fine for raping his 4-year-old daughter in 2019. The court delivered the judgment based on medical reports and the doctor's testimony after the minor's mother and aunt turned hostile during the trial.

Special public prosecutor (SPP) Raghuvansh Sharma said, "The girl's mother had decided not to pursue the case because she did not want her husband to remain in prison . Nevertheless, the court considered the evidence presented and ensured justice for the child. The case underscores the importance of medical evidence and expertise in securing convictions, even without direct cooperation from the witness."

On March 23 that year, the girl's mother had filed a case at Khair police station in Aligarh, saying she was at her maternal home and her 4-year-old daughter was also with her. "My husband had come there and taken our daughter to a forest nearby. When they returned, I was shocked to find her unconscious and covered in blood," she said.

A case under IPC section 376 (rape) and Pocso Act was registered against the accused and he was arrested. The girl was sent for medical tests, and statements were recorded. The police had made the girl, her mother and her aunt as "key witnesses". However, during the court hearing, the witnesses changed their statements, SPP said.


(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)