Sirsa: Man gets 14 years in jail for rape, abduction, abetment to suicide

A Fast-Track Special Court in Sirsa has sentenced a 25-year-old man, Jaj Ram, to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment in a case involving the rape of a minor, kidnapping and abetment to suicide. The accused was also convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Dr Naresh Kumar Singhal today.

According to public prosecutor Amit Mehta, the case was registered at Rania police station on July 23, 2021. The investigation revealed that the accused lured the minor girl on the pretext of marriage and took her to a hotel in Sirsa, where she was sexually assaulted. Upon discovering that the accused was already married, the girl consumed poison and later died during treatment.

Police collected testimonies from the girl’s family, hotel staff and other witnesses. A handwritten note and her mobile phone were recovered during the investigation, alongside medical and forensic evidence that strengthened the case.

The court awarded 5 years under Section 363 IPC for kidnapping, 7 years under Section 366 IPC for abduction with intent to exploit, 10 years under Section 376 IPC for rape, 10 years under Section 306 IPC for abetment to suicide and 14 years under Section 4 of the POCSO Act for sexual assault on a minor.

All sentences will run concurrently, resulting in a total effective jail term of 14 years.

The court also imposed fines of Rs 5,000 under Section 363, Rs 10,000 each under Sections 366, 376, and 306 and Rs 50,000 under the POCSO Act.