A special court in Maharashtra's Thane district has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, observing that a minor's consent has no legal validity.
Additional Sessions Judge Premal S Vithalani on Friday found the accused, Mohdammed Rashid Tahid Aalam (30), guilty of charges under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
She sentenced him to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000.
Special public prosecutor Rekha N Hivrale examined seven witnesses to prove the charges against the accused.
According to the prosecution, the accused took the child to different places in Thane City on July 29, 2021 and raped her after promising to marry her.
The court noted that while the relationship appeared to be consensual, when the survivor is below 18 years of age, her consent is not valid in the eyes of law.
It further stated, "When there is oral evidence of the victim, which is supported by the medical evidence, it is sufficient to hold that the prosecution successfully established that the accused committed sexual intercourse repeatedly with the victim, may be with her consent."
While finding Alam guilty of charges under section 6 of the POCSO Act, which prescribes rigorous imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years and a fine, the court acquitted him of kidnapping charges, noting that the survivor had accompanied him willingly.
The court also recommended the case to the District Legal Services Authority, Thane, to determine compensation for the victim.
(With inputs from PTI)