Amroha (Uttar Pradesh) October 25: In a 2017 case of abduction and rape of a minor, a local court has sentenced the culprit to ten years imprisonment. Additionally, a penalty of Rs.13,000 was also imposed. The judge made it clear that half of the fine amount will be given to the victim. The accused had earlier been able to secure parole, but following the court's judgement, he will again be arrested and will return to the jail to complete his punishment.

The victim belonging to a farmer’s family and a resident of a village under the jurisdiction of Hasanpur Kotwali was a minor when the crime happened. The incident occurred four years back in 2017. The victim had gone to Bulandshahr to learn tailoring. It was here that the accused, Monu, a local, started pestering the girl. Within two months the victim left the sewing centre and came back home, due harassment by Monu. Despite this, the culprit did not relent and kept troubling her.

On 14 December 2017, around 11 am in the morning, the girl had gone to dispose off the household’s litter; this is when Monu abducted her. When the victim did not return for quite some time, the family started looking for her at all possible places. When she was not found anywhere, the victim’s father filed a missing person’s report naming Monu as the potential abductor.

Uttar Pradesh police ten days later caught the culprit and rescued the minor. The girl later told the judge that this time period of 10 days was enough for Monu to sexually assault her. The police arrested and sent him to jail, but he was able to secure bail.

This case was heard in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Special (POCSO) Awadhesh Kumar Singh on Friday. The prosecution was represented by Special Public Prosecutor (POCSO) Basant Singh Saini. On the basis of evidence, the court found the accused Monu, guilty and sentenced him to ten years in jail. In addition, a punishment of Rs.13,000 was levied on him.