10 years' rigorous imprisonment for youth for repeatedly raping minor

MUMBAI: A special Pocso court convicted and sentenced a 21-year-old student to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for the repeated sexual assault of a minor, which resulted in her pregnancy. The judge noted the “heinous acts by the accused have cast a lifelong psychological and emotional impact on the girl”.The crime came to light in May 2021, when the girl’s mother took her to hospital due to abdominal pain, and was told she was pregnant. The girl revealed the accused committed forcible sexual acts on many occasions. The defence argued it was a consensual relationship and sought minimum sentence as the accused is an orphan. The court said leniency can’t be shown as the offence was serious in nature.