Anantnag, Oct. 24: A local court in Anantnag on Friday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raping and impregnating his minor daughter, a case that first came to light in 2022.
The court also directed the convict to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the victim.
The case was reported to the Women’s Police Station, Anantnag, after the girl’s mother alleged that her husband had sexually abused their daughter, who was discovered to be pregnant. Police took immediate action, and medical examinations confirmed the pregnancy.
Police registered a case under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
A charge sheet was subsequently filed, and the matter was taken up in a fast-track court given its serious nature.
On Oct. 15, the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Anantnag, Tahir Khurshid Raina convicted the accused.
The sentence was pronounced Friday, ordering that the convict remain in prison for the rest of his life.
The court also directed the payment of Rs 10 lakh compensation to the victim to aid her rehabilitation.
The prosecution had urged the court for the maximum punishment, emphasizing that the case sends a strong message to society about the seriousness of crimes against children, even within families.
A senior prosecuting officer said, “This case is testament to the fact that some individuals do not value family institutions and can go to any extent to commit such heinous acts. At the same time, the verdict should give confidence to victims that such criminals cannot escape the law.”
“The message is clear- “Society must stand united to protect its children, and victims should feel empowered to come forward without fear,” the officer added.
