20 years imprisonment for 2 boys, who sexually assaulted 3-year-old

A special court convicted and sentenced two 20-year-old college students to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for sexually assaulting a then three-year-old in 2018. However, the third accused, who is a juvenile, is in conflict with law and being tried separately.

While one accused, who is the victim’s neighbour, sexually assaulted her in the common passage of their building. The other person, friend of the accused, abetted the offence by keeping watch and giving him instructions. He also touched her inappropriately.

On the night of November 20, 2018, the child's uncle who had come out of the house to pacify his crying baby, found the girl in the common passage, sitting on a couch with the accused and the juvenile. The other convicted accused was standing guard. The three boys soon left.

Later, the girl’s uncle took her home and informed her father about his observations. After the child's mother took her into confidence, she described about the sexual assault.

When a local doctor examined the child and confirmed her version, the family went to the police. The accused were subsequently arrested.

During the trial, the victim, her mother and uncle became witnesses. The girl's uncle told the court that he found something suspicious during that moment in the common passage of the building.

However, seeking some leniency during the hearing of the case, one of the accused had also given proof of underage. However, the court rejected his request.

The court that the court said age alone could not be the dominant factor in deciding the quantum of sentence. "Logical explanation or reasoning would always be available in favour of any age and then it would be almost impossible to imprison any accused. The child of three years who used to call the accused 'dada' (elder brother) took disadvantage of the trust and committed rape," the court said.

The court said the quantum of sentence should not only deter the accused from committing such offences in the future but also the public at large.