Youth gets 10 years jail for raping six-year-old

A 24-year-old youth has been sent to jail for 10 years by a Delhi court for raping a six-year-old girl.
The court said the allegation of sexual assault was also corroborated by the deposition of the victim's relative, who had lodged the complaint and the medical evidence.
"Accordingly, it is held that the testimony of the victim is trustworthy and reliable in respect of the incident of sexual assault on her by the accused. Allegations also found corroboration from the deposition of the complainant and medical evidence. Allegations against the accused of sexually committing penetrative sexual assault on a six-year-old child stands proved," Additional Sessions Judge Gautam Manan said.

The court also awarded a compensation of Rs two lakh to the victim, saying children are "supremely important national asset" and future of the nation depends on their growth.
"Concept of welfare and wellbeing of children is basic for any civilised society and this has a direct bearing on the state of health and wellbeing of the entire community, its growth and development.
"It has been time and again emphasised in legislation, international declarations as well as judicial pronouncements that children are 'supremely important national asset' and the future wellbeing of the nation depends on how its children grow and develop," the court said.

It also said that the provision of POCSO Act mandates that in addition to the punishment to the accused, the victim be granted compensation for physical and mental trauma caused to him and also for her rehabilitation.

The court sentenced Udhav, resident of Laxmi Nagar in east Delhi, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on him.
According to the prosecution, a complaint was lodged by the victim's aunt alleging that on May 20, 2013, they were in the marriage function of a family member and the child was dancing on the floor when she disappeared.

When the family members started looking for the child, she came from behind the tent in a frightened state and disclosed that a person had gagged her mouth, took her outside and raped her.
When the girl started screaming, the youth ran away and the child narrated the incident to her uncle. The minor then pointed towards Udhav and he was caught and the matter was reported to police. A case was registered against against him at Jahangir Puri Police Station here.
During the trial, Udhav claimed that he was implicated in the case merely on suspicion.
He also sought leniency in the sentence but the court said that considering the nature of offence committed by him, he cannot be released on probation.