Man gets 20 years in jail for sexual harassment of minor

Kolkata: A city court recently convicted and awarded 20 years of rigorous imprisonment to man accused of sexually harassing a minor girl.

According to police, on March 14, 2016, an elderly woman arrived at the Chetla police station and alleged that her granddaughter has been sexually harassed by one of their relatives.

She said the child's father died few months ago and her mother worked as domestic help to support the family. The elderly woman further said the mother of the minor could not take of the girl as she was busy with her work and therefore the girl lived with her in a slum in Chetla.

As the elderly woman was not able to keep a watch on the girl, one of their family members took the advantage of the situation and sexually harassed her for four months.

The accused person also threatened the girl not to disclose the incident to anyone.

If she tells anyone about him, she will be killed, he threatened her. But, as the victim was not able to bear the torture any more, she narrated the whole incident to her grandmother.

Upon receiving the information, the police rushed to the place where accused person lived. He was arrested on the same day.

During medical examination, it was indicated that the girl was sexually abused. Immediately, a case was initiated under sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Within a month the police submitted the charge-sheet along with the medical report and substantial evidences.

After a long trial, recently the concerned court convicted the accused person. Later, the accused was awarded 20 years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 30,000.

Upon failing to pay the fine amount, the convicted person will have to serve 18 more months in the prison.

The court also ordered that half of the fine amount along with Rs 3 lakh as compensation will have to be paid by the

state government to the victim girl.