PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
A special POCSO court in Dehradun sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for repeatedly raping his 14-year-old neighbour, who later gave birth to a child. Additional district and sessions judge Archana Sagar sentenced Parvez to 20 years imprisonment after convicting him in the case, public prosecutor Alpana Thapa, said on Saturday.
According to the public prosecutor, the case started when the girl’s father found out she was pregnant in April 2024. The girl said their neighbour Parvez had been coming to their house when she was alone, forcing himself on her and threatening to kill her if she told anyone. Her father first tried to settle the matter with Parvez’s family, who promised to get them married once the girl turned 18. But later, the family got Parvez married to another girl and even threatened the victim’s family.
The father then went to the police in September 2024. During the trial, the girl told the court how she was assaulted multiple times. Medical reports and other evidence proved that Parvez was the father of her baby girl, who was born in August 2024.
The court convicted Parvez under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and also for criminal intimidation. Along with the 20-year rigorous imprisonment, he has to pay fines totalling Rs 15,000. The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to ensure the victim receives Rs 4,00,000 as compensation and help with her rehabilitation.
