Supreme Court sentences man to 30 years in jail for raping 7-year-old in temple

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of India validated the conviction of a man who abducted and raped a seven-year-old girl in a temple. The convict, who was 40 years old at the time of the crime, was sentenced to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1 lakh. The decision was made by a bench of Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice CT Ravikumar after a complaint was filed by the victim's grandmother in 2018. 

The court emphasized the brutality of the crime and how it would haunt the victim every time she visits a temple. The ruling serves as a reminder that such heinous crimes are not pardonable or excusable and ensures the commitment of the Indian judicial system to serve justice. The court also directed towards creating a secure and safe environment for children and taking steps to protect them from such heinous crimes.

Landmark Verdict Emphasizes Severe Penalties for Child Sexual Abuse

During the trial, the Supreme Court also emphasized the fact that the High Court failed to impose different sentences for the offense under the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and imposing a fine. It highlighted Section 376 AB of the IPC, which directs the imposition of a fine to carry out the medical expenditure of the victim.

Initially, the trial court sentenced the convict to death, which was later scaled down to life imprisonment by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh. The convict, who was unsatisfied with the decision of the MP High Court, later approached the Apex Court, which upheld the conviction. However, the court altered the sentence and inflicted upon the convict the rigorous imprisonment of 30 years along with a fine.

The ruling serves as a reminder to the offenders that such heinous crimes are no way pardonable or excusable. It ensures the commitment of the Indian Judicial system to serve with justice. With this decision, the court also directed towards creating a secure and safe environment for the children and to take steps to protect the children from such heinous crimes.