Serial Rapist Sentenced To Life Imprisonment By POCSO Court

A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Bahraich has sentenced serial offender Avinash Pandey to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and rape of a six-year-old girl, marking a significant victory in the fight against child sexual abuse in rural Uttar Pradesh. The 30-year-old convict, alias "Simple", was also fined Rs 1.6 lakh, with the penalty to be paid as compensation to the victim.

Pandey, a resident of the same village under Sujauli police station limits, now faces four similar cases, two of which have resulted in convictions. This ruling, delivered by Special Additional Sessions Judge Deepakant Mani on Monday, underscores the judiciary's commitment to swift justice under the POCSO Act, 2012, which mandates rigorous punishment for offences against minors to deter predators and protect vulnerable children.

The chilling incident unfolded on June 15, 2025, when the girl vanished while playing outside her home around 4 PM. Her frantic family searched until late at night, eventually discovering her in a nearby sugarcane field, dishevelled and traumatised. The father lodged a complaint against unknown persons, triggering an FIR under relevant IPC and POCSO sections. As investigations deepened, patterns emerged: similar abductions of girls aged five to eight had occurred on June 25, June 28, and July 3, with victims found in isolated fields but too frightened to disclose details initially.

These cases highlighted a disturbing trend in the agrarian belt, where sugarcane fields often serve as secluded spots for such crimes, exploiting the region's sparse population and limited surveillance.

Breakthrough came through innovative policing led by Mihipurwa Circle Officer Harshita Tiwari, who employed child-sensitive interrogation techniques, incorporating play therapy and psychological counselling to build trust. The girls gradually revealed a consistent profile: a drunken man in his 30s with distinctive hand tattoos, who lured them with promises of candy, food, or new clothes post-assault.

Matching this description to local intelligence, police arrested Pandey within three days, uncovering incriminating photos of young girls on his mobile phone—evidence that linked him to multiple offences. A charge sheet was filed in August, with prosecutors requesting a fast-tracked trial to prevent further harm. On September 24, the same court handed Pandey another life term for a prior similar crime, with verdicts pending in the remaining two cases.

Also Read: Clash During PoK Protests Leaves One Dead, Several Injured Amid Shutdown

This conviction serves as a deterrent in Bahraich, a district bordering Nepal where child trafficking and abuse cases have risen 15% in 2025 per NCRB data, often tied to cross-border vulnerabilities. Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Durga Prasad Tiwari praised the victim-centric approach, crediting community vigilance and forensic support for the rapid resolution. The Uttar Pradesh government, under its "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" extension, has intensified POCSO benches and awareness drives in such areas.

As Pandey begins his sentence, the focus shifts to victim rehabilitation through state counselling centres, ensuring these young survivors receive holistic support. The case exemplifies how empathy-driven probes can dismantle networks of exploitation, fostering safer rural ecosystems.

Also Read: Valencia Football Club Files Lawsuit Against Netflix Over Vinícius Documentary