A SPECIAL POCSO court in Bhopal sentenced a man to triple rigorous life imprisonment for repeatedly assaulting his tenyear-old relative over two years. Judge Kumudini Patel pronounced the stringent judgment under three separate legal sections due to the grave nature of the crime. Taking into account the victim’s welfare, the tribunal further directed State authorities to grant Rs 5 lakh in financial compensation for her rehabilitation and schooling. Special Public Prosecutor Divya Shukla stated that the case originated in the year 2022 within the jurisdiction of Sukhi Sewaniya police station.

 

Having lost both her parents early in childhood, the girl initially lived with her grandmother. Following her grandmother’s passing, her paternal aunt and uncle took her into their home, where she was expected to receive familial protection. Prolonged abuse during pan demic lockdowns: The exploitation began during pandemic lockdowns when educational institutions were closed and her aunt was away at work. The convict leveraged death threats to enforce silence and continued the abuse for two years, causing severe physical distress. Though the child disclosed her ordeal to a friend and her aunt, the abuse persisted until an SOS organisation social worker intervened and filed a police report.