UP: Hathras man gets 7-year RI for raping minor girl

AGRA: The additional district and session judge in UP's Hathras district on Friday sentenced a 41-year-old man for seven years' rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor girl in 2016.
The convict Julfikar was sentenced by ADJ Ashish Jain, under Section 376 (rape) of the IPC and Section 4 of the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on him.
The case dates back to March 18, 2016, when the four-year-old victim’s grandmother had informed the police about the rape of her granddaughter, who had gone to play with children at her neighbour Zulfikar’s house in the evening.She told police that the girl was crying when she returned home and later told her about the incident.
The convict assaulted her and forcible committed a rape. A medical examination also confirmed sexual assault with the girl. An investigation was initiated on the statement of the girl .
The prosecution sought maximum punishment for the accused, saying the offence was "very serious". The prosecutor said the accused, despite knowing that the victim was minor, sexually assaulted her.
After hearing both the sides, the judge pronounced Zulfikar guilty and awarded him the punishment.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)