Landmark Verdict: Assam Court Sentences Child Rapist to 21 Years Rigorous Imprisonment

In a significant ruling, a special court in Dhubri district, Assam, sentenced Monirul Islam alias Raju to 21 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a Rs. 10,000 fine for raping a 12-year-old girl in 2019. The Additional Sessions Judge cum Special Judge, POCSO, Bilasipara, Mukul Chetia, found Islam guilty of violating the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The conviction, under Section 6 of the POCSO Act for aggravated penetrative sexual assault, followed a complaint filed by the victim’s father in October 2019. The court, after hearing arguments and examining evidence, delivered the judgment, welcomed by the local community, child rights activists, and the victim’s family as a landmark decision in the pursuit of justice.