RAPE ACCUSED SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS OF RI

RAPE ACCUSED SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS OF RI

9-MAY-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA----------------------------Pramod Kumar Pandey, the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADJ-6) of the Bhabhua Civil Court, has sentenced an accused individual to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment after convicting him in a heinous rape case dating back to 2023. Additionally, the court has imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on the accused. In the event of non-payment of the fine, the convict will have to undergo an additional six months of imprisonment. Furthermore, taking into account the victim's age, humanitarian considerations, and the physical and mental trauma suffered, the court has ordered the payment of ₹4 lakh as compensation. This case pertains to Ramgarh Police Station Case No. 235/2023 and POCSO Special Case No. 37/2023. The court found the accused guilty under Section 376AB of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the POCSO Act. According to the prosecution, on July 7, 2023, the 8-year-old victim was playing near her home. During this time, the accused—identified as Rajesh Pandey (aged approximately 44), son of the late Daroga Tiwari, a resident of Tiwari Tola village, Ramgarh Police Station, District Kaimur—lured her to his home and subjected her to rape. Following the incident, the victim returned home in tears and informed her family members about the ordeal. Acting swiftly upon receiving this information from the family, the police arrested the accused. During the investigation of the case, medical examinations, FSL reports, and other evidence were collected. During the court proceedings, statements from a total of 13 witnesses were recorded. Following effective arguments presented by Special Public Prosecutor Shashibhushan Pandey, the court—based on all the evidence and witness testimonies—convicted the accused and handed down a severe sentence. In its verdict, the court observed that this crime is extremely grave and poses a grave threat to society; therefore, it is imperative that the accused be subjected to rigorous punishment. Following this verdict, the victim's family members have expressed their gratitude to the court.