A 27-year-old man from Tripura, Akash Nayak Bhil, has been sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 2,000 for raping a seven-year-old girl. The judgment was handed down by Belonia District and Sessions Judge Govinda Das, who also serves as a Special POCSO Act Judge, on Monday.
The heinous crime took place on January 24, 2024, between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM in Belonia. Bhil enticed the young girl to his mud house by promising to show her a mobile phone, only to then assault her. The victim bravely informed her father, who wasted no time in filing a complaint at Belonia Women’s Police Station. The case was registered under IPC Sections 354(b), 376(a/b), and POCSO Act Sections 6/8.
Inspector Swapna Bhowmik took charge of the investigation, compiling a charge sheet with the testimonies of 13 witnesses. After reviewing 12 testimonies, the court found Bhil guilty under POCSO Act Section 10. Special Public Prosecutor Prabhat Chandra Dutta represented the state in this harrowing case.
The sentencing of Bhil serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting and ensuring the safety of children. The court’s decision sends a clear message that perpetrators of such abhorrent crimes will be held accountable for their actions. The victim and her family have been provided with justice, and the community can take solace in knowing that justice has been served.
