Pune Court Sentences Father to Life for Raping Minor Daughter Despite Mother Turning Hostile
A special court in Pune, India, has sentenced a man to rigorous life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his eight-year-old daughter in a landmark Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case. The conviction is significant because it relied primarily on definitive medical evidence and the victim's testimony, even after the child's mother turned hostile during the trial to protect the accused. The incident occurred in December 2020 when the father allegedly locked the house and assaulted the girl. Although the mother initially filed a First Information Report (FIR), she later resiled from her statements. The court acknowledged the mother's dilemma but emphasized that her hostility did not negate the positive evidence provided by the victim. Additionally, the judge criticized the Pune Rural police for a lackadaisical investigation, particularly for using an illiterate independent witness for evidence seizure. However, the court ruled that this procedural flaw did not undermine the core evidentiary value. Medical reports confirming vaginal penetration and physical injuries, combined with the girl's detailed account during cross-examination, proved the offense beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the severe sentence.
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Pune Court Sentences Father to Life for Raping Minor Daughter Despite Mother Turning Hostile
A special court in Pune, India, has sentenced a man to rigorous life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his eight-year-old daughter in a landmark Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case. The conviction is significant because it relied primarily on definitive medical evidence and the victim's testimony, even after the child's mother turned hostile during the trial to protect the accused. The incident occurred in December 2020 when the father allegedly locked the house and assaulted the girl. Although the mother initially filed a First Information Report (FIR), she later resiled from her statements. The court acknowledged the mother's dilemma but emphasized that her hostility did not negate the positive evidence provided by the victim. Additionally, the judge criticized the Pune Rural police for a lackadaisical investigation, particularly for using an illiterate independent witness for evidence seizure. However, the court ruled that this procedural flaw did not undermine the core evidentiary value. Medical reports confirming vaginal penetration and physical injuries, combined with the girl's detailed account during cross-examination, proved the offense beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the severe sentence.
The Indian Express