Kinnaur POCSO case: Man gets 20 years in jail for impregnating minor
A POCSO court in Rampur has sentenced a Kinnaur man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in a minor sexual assault case with DNA evidence playing a key role in securing the conviction
PTC Web Desk: A Special POCSO Court in Rampur Bushahr, Shimla, has sentenced a 32-year-old man from Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in a case involving the sexual assault of a minor girl. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict.
The judgment was delivered by the Additional District and Sessions Court (POCSO), which relied significantly on scientific evidence, including a DNA examination, while holding the accused guilty.
According to the prosecution, the incident dates back to November 2022 when the victim, then a 14-year-old student studying in Class IX, was spending her lunch break with friends on her school campus.
The accused allegedly arrived at the location in a vehicle and persuaded a group of girls to accompany him for a drive. After travelling some distance, the other girls were dropped off, while the minor was allegedly taken to a secluded area near Kashang Nala, where the crime took place.
The matter remained undisclosed for several weeks as the victim reportedly did not share the incident with anyone due to fear and trauma.
The case came to light in December 2022 when the girl experienced severe abdominal pain and was taken to a hospital by her mother. During medical examinations, doctors found that she was pregnant. Following standard procedures, the hospital informed the police.
After being questioned by her family, the minor disclosed the incident, leading to the registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at the Reckong Peo police station.
A crucial breakthrough in the investigation came through forensic testing. Authorities conducted a DNA analysis related to the pregnancy and the results established a biological link between the accused and the foetus.
The court observed that the forensic findings, supported by the victim's testimony and other evidence presented during the trial, formed a strong basis for conviction.
The prosecution was represented by Deputy District Attorney Kamal Chandel, who argued the case on behalf of the state.