UP: Man sentenced to life term for raping four-year-old girl in Etawah district

KANPUR: A man who had raped a four-year-old girl in Badhpura police station area of Etawah district of UP in January was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a court on Tuesday, in a record time of 57 days since the crime.
The child was sexually assaulted on January 18 this year when she had gone to a nearby field to bring fodder for the cattle, when a local — Arun, son of Rajesh — abducted her and took her to a mustard field where he raped her.
The girl’s shrieks drew the attention of farmers working in adjoining fields.
They rushed to her rescue but the crook managed to flee from the spot.
Etawah senior superintendent of police Akash Tomar said the incident had taken place around 3pm on January 18, and subsequently an FIR was registered at Badhpura police station.
The accused was arrested from Chambal river bridge in the district on January 19 following a shootout.
The statement of the victim was recorded and the charge sheet was filed in the court on February 1.
“The charges against the accused were found to be true under Section 376 AB (rape, a section applied when the victim is under 12) of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act,” said Tomar.
Etawah additional district and sessions judge Kashi Prasad Singh Yadav, after inspecting evidence and hearing the two sides pronounced, the verdict on Tuesday, said standing counsel Ajit Tomar.
“This case is in the rarest of rare category. The conviction and sentence came in just 57 days,” he added.
The girl’s parents were present in the hearing and said Arun had committed a heinous crime and deserved nothing less.
Other than life imprisonment, the court also slapped a penalty of Rs 50,000 on Arun.
“The accused was convicted in time due to constant supervision and follow up. Justice has been delivered in record time,” the SSP added.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)