NEW DELHI: In a powerful statement underscoring the need for stringent punishment in cases of child sexual abuse, a Delhi court sentenced a 28-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping an eight-year-old girl in 2016.
The verdict, delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Babita Puniya, stressed the gravity of the crime, describing the rape of a child as “atrocious.”
The case, heard under Section 376 (2) of the IPC, involved the brutal assault of the young girl while she was en route to a local eatery to buy noodles on April 3, 2016. Prosecutors sought the maximum sentence, with Special Public Prosecutor Sharawan Kumar Bishnoi highlighting the heinous nature of the crime.
“Children are the most precious asset of any society. It is our collective responsibility to protect them from such horrendous acts and ensure their happiness and safety,” the judge stated in her November 11 verdict. The court acknowledged the long-lasting trauma that the child is likely to endure, emphasizing the seriousness of the impact.
The judge firmly dismissed any argument for leniency, noting that there should be no distinction between digital and other forms of penetration in the context of rape laws. “Penetration under the law includes all forms, whether digital, penile, or object-based, and each carries the same gravity in our legal framework,” Judge Puniya stated, underscoring that the severity of punishment should reflect the profound violation experienced by the victim.
In her decision, Judge Puniya pointed out the necessity of a balanced approach in sentencing, aiming to reflect the severity of the crime, deter future offenses, and afford the possibility of rehabilitation. “A sentence of twenty years of rigorous imprisonment serves as just retribution, provides adequate protection to society, and impresses upon the convict the serious nature of his actions,” she noted.
The court also awarded a compensation of Rs 13.5 lakh to the survivor, recognising the need for financial support to aid her recovery.
Recently, a Delhi court sentenced a juvenile to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 10-year-old girl in 2017.