JAMMU, Feb 9: The Court of Special Judge, Fast Track Court (POCSO Cases), Jammu, Sunil Sangra has held Sanjeev Kumar alias “Chotu”, resident of Bomal, Akhnoor guilty in a child sexual offence case and convicted him for offences under Section 354 IPC and Section 8 of the POCSO Act in FIR No. 166/2020 registered at Police Station Akhnoor.
As per the case record, the prosecution stated that on September 30, 2020, the minor girl-stated to be about 8 years old at the relevant time-had gone outside to play when she went missing.
Her mother searched for her and, according to the prosecution version, found the child inside/near the house of the accused. The complaint alleged that the accused had lured the child into his house on a pretext and molested her.
A written complaint was subsequently lodged, leading to registration of the FIR and investigation. During the trial, the prosecution examined the victim and other key witnesses, including the child’s parents, besides producing documentary evidence relating to the victim’s age.
The court also dealt with the defence argument regarding delay in lodging the FIR, observing that delay in reporting sexual offences does not by itself demolish the prosecution case if the overall evidence inspires confidence.
After appreciating the evidence on record, the Special Court concluded that the prosecution had proved its case and accordingly recorded the conviction of the accused under the relevant provisions.
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