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Mumbai: A 50-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special Pocso court despite DNA evidence excluding him as the father of his 15-year-old niece’s unborn child. The court found that he repeatedly raped the girl while her parents were at work in 2020. A neighbour, who witnessed the accused frequently visiting the girl, allegedly blackmailed and raped her as well. This second accused is currently absconding and believed to have impregnated the teenager. Special Judge JP Darekar also fined the accused Rs 6,000, which will be given to the teenager as compensation.
Special public prosecutor Rupali Metkewar cited the evidence of 12 witnesses, including the victim, her brother, neighbour, doctors, and police officers, to seek the conviction of the accused. The accused was married to the victim’s paternal aunt. The victim deposed that the accused sexually assaulted her repeatedly. While her parents were at work, the accused visited her home. On one occasion, he entered her room, forcibly disrobed her, and raped her. He threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed the abuse. This pattern of abuse continued for several months. The victim also disclosed that another resident of her building also sexually assaulted her after witnessing her with the accused. After the victim became pregnant, she told her mother.
The victim’s brother also testified in the case, saying that the accused would often give him money to buy snacks or sweets, sending him out of the house. —Rebecca Samervel
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