Delhi Court sentences man to life for rape of minor, verdict delivered in 20 days
New Delhi: Tis Hazari Court, Delhi, has sentenced a 45-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape and impregnation of a 16-year-old girl, concluding the case within 20 days of its institution. The verdict was pronounced by the court following proceedings in a matter that came to light earlier this year.
The case emerged on February 25, 2025, when the minor was brought to a hospital with severe abdominal pain. Medical examination revealed she was in labour, and she gave birth shortly after.This resulted in the filing of an FIR at Nihal Vihar police station.
After investigations, the case was officially filed on March 28. The court gave its verdict on April 15 and handed down the sentence the following day, committing the convict to life imprisonment under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Additional Sessions Judge Babita Puniya handed down a life sentence to the 45-year-old man under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, noting that the punishment would extend for the remainder of his natural life. The court also imposed a fine of ₹10,000.
In her sentencing order dated April 16, Judge Puniya observed the significant age difference between the accused and the minor, terming it an aggravating factor. The convict, she noted, was nearly three decades older than the 16-year-old girl, who gave birth to a child as a result of the repeated assault.
The court also observed the fact that the man, who was a frequent guest at the victim's home, well known to her father and addressed by the child as 'uncle' had taken advantage of the helplessness of the girl, indulging in long-term sexual abuse that led to pregnancy. The judge appreciated from the statement the physical and psychological abuse the minor had suffered, noting the tremendous pain she had endured during childbirth at such an early age.
Considering the damage inflicted, the court directed the survivor to be paid a sum of ₹19.5 lakh. Though money could not fully compensate for the emotional and psychological damage, the court hoped that the compensation would enable the little girl to go for education or acquire skills that would be useful for her in the future. Out of the total sum, ₹2 lakh was allocated under the head of mental injury and ₹4 lakh for the trauma of pregnancy.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
