A special court in Odisha hearing cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the repeated sexual abuse of his own daughter.
Describing the crime as an unspeakable betrayal of trust, the court handed down one of the strongest sentences seen in a POCSO matter from the state in recent memory. The relationship between the accused and the victim was treated as an aggravating factor in determining the quantum of punishment.
The POCSO Act, enacted in 2012, provides for stringent penalties for sexual offences against minors and mandates child-friendly procedures during trial. Special courts established under the law are tasked with ensuring speedy disposal of such cases.
The verdict signals the judiciary’s intent to impose severe consequences in cases involving abuse by a person in a position of trust and authority over the child.
Created by Ayen Stabel.
Stabel is AI and can make mistakes.
Sources:
https://www.livelaw.in/