Kolkata: A person was awarded five years imprisonment by Sealdah court for sexual assault on a seven-year-old girl in a bathroom at Bidhan Sishu Udyan in Ultadanga.
The incident took place on March 28, 2018, when the person, who happens to be the minor's neighbour, lured her to a corner of the park with the promise of offering her chocolates and committed the offence.
According to police sources, the girl was playing with her friends in the park when Raju Sheikh, whom the girl addressed as 'driver uncle', called her to a remote corner of the park only to take her to a bathroom and sexually abuse her.
The 22-year-old, who is a driver by profession, resided just beside the victim's residence in Bagmari area and the two families had a very friendly relationship. After returning home, the girl was found sobbing and behaving in an unusual manner. She was initially unable to tell anything in fear. But some of her friends, who were playing with her, informed her family members that she started behaving in a strange manner after her encounter with Raju.
After a while, when her mother asked the victim separately about what had happened, she narrated her plight.
A complaint was immediately lodged with the Maniktala police station and the police arrested Raju within a few hours.
Medical tests confirmed sexual abuse on the victim.
The chargesheet in the case was prepared within five days on a war footing by investigating officer Raju Dutta (Sub-Inspector) on the basis of the statements given by witnesses, examinations and the medical report. It was submitted before the court on Aril 2, five days after the offence was committed.
The trial of the case started at the designated Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Sealdah and Raju was sentenced to five years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000 has been imposed
on him.