Thane Court Hands 10-Year Sentence to Man for Raping 13-Year-Old Girl

A Thane district court sentenced 25-year-old Prince Santosh Mishra to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in 2018, underlining the judiciary’s firm stance against crimes targeting minors. Additional Sessions Judge D.S. Deshmukh, in a July 3 order, convicted Mishra under the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, as the victim belongs to a Scheduled Caste community.

The assault occurred on November 2, 2018, when Mishra lured the girl to a friend’s house under false pretenses, as revealed by Special Public Prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale. A neighbor’s alert led the girl’s mother to discover her daughter’s ordeal after she returned home. The victim’s consistent testimony about the penetrative assault at the co-accused’s residence was pivotal in securing Mishra’s conviction. The court dismissed Mishra’s claim that the complaint was fabricated over a loan dispute, citing lack of evidence.

Mishra was fined Rs 20,000, to be paid as compensation to the victim, with the case referred to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) for additional reparations. The co-accused, Akram Chand Khan, was acquitted due to lack of evidence of his involvement.

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Despite Mishra’s counsel pleading for leniency, citing his age and role as his family’s sole breadwinner, Judge Deshmukh emphasized the gravity of the offense. “Sexual assault on a child must be dealt with stringently,” the judge stated, prioritizing justice for the victim. The ruling reinforces Maharashtra’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring accountability for heinous crimes against minors.

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