Guwahati, May 15 (IANS) In a stern verdict against child sexual abuse, a Special POCSO Court in Assam on Friday sentenced rape convict Mohar Ali to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000. The court further directed that in default of payment of the fine, the convict would undergo an additional six months of imprisonment, underscoring the judiciary’s zero-tolerance approach towards crimes against minors.

The incident took place on July 7, 2022, at Kathalguri village under the Kokrajhar Sadar Police Station limits. According to the prosecution, the accused, Mohar Ali, allegedly lured and dragged a minor girl into a secluded jute field along the banks of the Gourang river, where he sexually assaulted her.

The victim’s family later lodged an FIR at Kokrajhar Sadar Police Station, following which police launched an investigation into the case. The accused was subsequently arrested and charges were framed under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The trial was conducted before the Special POCSO Court and included testimonies from the victim and her family members, along with medical and forensic evidence supporting the prosecution’s case.

Special Public Prosecutor and district court advocate Manjit Ghosh, who represented the prosecution, described the judgment as a significant step towards justice. Speaking to media persons outside the court premises, Ghosh said the verdict reflected the court’s careful scrutiny of evidence and its commitment to protecting children from sexual crimes.

The conviction comes amid concerns over rising POCSO cases in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Assam recorded more than 1,500 POCSO cases in 2023.

Child rights activists and social organisations welcomed the verdict and called for faster disposal of such cases and stricter enforcement of child protection laws.

The sentencing is also in line with recent judicial trends in which POCSO courts have imposed stringent punishment in cases involving sexual crimes against minors.

Mohar Ali, a resident of the locality, will serve his sentence in Kokrajhar Central Jail. As per the court’s directive, the amount collected through the fine will be utilised towards victim compensation.

Child rights organisations, including Bachpan Bachao Andolan, have also stressed the need for greater awareness campaigns in rural and riverine areas such as Kokrajhar, where geographical isolation and social vulnerabilities often make children more susceptible to such crimes.

Police officials said stringent action is taken in all POCSO-related complaints and described the case as an example of coordinated action between the police and judiciary.

Officials added that the verdict has brought a sense of relief to the victim’s family after a prolonged legal process.

–IANS

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