Court Sentences Man to 20 Years for Rape of Minor; Recommends Action Against Police Official for Shoddy Investigation

A court in Delhi has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old girl in 2022. The judge highlighted the gravity of the offence and criticized the Delhi Police for a shoddy investigation. Departmental action against the involved police official has been recommended.

A court in Delhi has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the rape of a 15-year-old girl in 2022, underscoring the punishment must match the seriousness of the 'loathsome act.' The court also criticized the shoddy investigation by a Delhi Police official, recommending departmental action against her.

Additional Sessions Judge Susheel Bala Dagar presided over the case, in which the man was previously convicted under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as well as various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rape, kidnapping, and compelling a woman to marry.

Prosecutor Yogita Kaushik Dahiya represented the state in the case. Considering the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, including the age of the child and the socioeconomic conditions, the court handed a 20-year sentence for the POCSO offence. It also imposed seven-year terms for kidnapping and compelling marriage, to run concurrently.

(With inputs from agencies.)