A man in Srinagar has been given a 12-year rigorous imprisonment by a fast-track court for sexually assaulting a minor boy. The court stated that the minimum punishment was appropriate in this case. The convict, Nazir Ahmad Doyi, was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault under the POCSO Act and the Ranbir Penal Code.
The court considered various factors, including the victim’s age and the impact of such crimes on children. Despite the defence’s plea for leniency due to the timing of the offense, the court emphasized the importance of upholding the mandated minimum sentences. The convict, a daily wage worker supporting his family, was sentenced to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment and 10 years of simple imprisonment, to be served concurrently.
In addition to the prison term, the court ordered the payment of Rs 7 lakh as compensation to the victim for rehabilitation. The District Legal Services Authority Srinagar was tasked with ensuring the immediate release of the compensation. The convict was sent to Central Jail Srinagar to serve the remaining sentence, with copies of the order provided to him and forwarded to jail authorities.
The POCSO Act, enacted in 2012, aims to protect children from sexual offenses in India. It establishes special courts with child-friendly procedures for swift justice and safety. The law is gender-neutral for both victims and perpetrators, with provisions for defining child pornography and penalizing related offenses.
