Fast-track court sentences man to life for raping stepdaughter
A special fast-track court for rape and POCSO cases has sentenced a man to undergo imprisonment for life for raping his stepdaughter. Judge Yashika also imposed Rs 1.17 lakh fine on the convict.
The case was registered on August 13, 2022, against the accused, Sodhi Singh, on the complaint of the girl under Sections 312, 328, 342, 376(2) (f), 376(2) (n), 506 of the IPC.
The complainant had told the police that she was a student of class 10 and that her father died 12 years back. Her mother got married to Sodhi Singh, younger brother of her father.
After the marriage, her mother had a dispute with Sodhi Singh and she started living with her brother at her parental home.
The girl, however, continued to live with her stepfather, along with her brother and sisters.
She alleged that Sodhi Singh made physical relations with her after giving her some intoxicant.
Sodhi Singh threatened her with dire consequences and when she got pregnant he gave her a medicine for abortion.
On August 8, 2022, the girl’s mother took her to the house of her maternal grandfather.
The girl suffered pain and the mother took her to Civil Hospital in Mohali.
During the investigation, the foetus was sent to forensic examination.
A medical examination of the girl was conducted and the accused was arrested.
The report of a DNA test concluded that the accused was the biological father of the male foetus.
After hearing of the arguments, the court said that the unblemished and consistent testimony of prosecutrix, along with ocular medical and forensic evidence, proved the charge framed against the accused beyond shadow of reasonable doubt.
Rejecting the plea of the accused for leniency, the fast-track court judge said the courts must hear the loud cry for justice by society in such type of cases and it should respond by imposition of proper sentence.
The court said in present case accused had shown his wicked and evil mind by subjecting his stepdaughter to sexual assault.
He is liable to be punished severely, it added.
The court also recommended the case to the District Legal Services Authority for assessing and releasing compensation to the girl.
