19 March,2026 04:15 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondent
The incident took place on August 5, 2018, in Wada taluka of Palghar district. Representational Pic/File
A special POCSO court in Palghar district of Maharashtra has sentenced a 35-year-old man to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in 2018, describing the offence as "heinous", reported the PTI.
Special Judge N K Karande delivered the verdict on March 11, convicting the accused under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The incident took place on August 5, 2018, in Wada taluka of Palghar district.
According to the prosecution, the accused lured the child to his house with the promise of sweets while her parents were away at work. The victim was later found injured and bleeding by her parents, as per the PTI.
The court based its decision on the victim's credible testimony and supporting medical evidence, which confirmed the assault.
It rejected the defence's claim that the case was fabricated due to a prior dispute and dismissed the argument that the injuries were caused by a fall, according to the PTI.
The judge observed that no parent would falsely implicate someone at the cost of their child's well-being.
The defence pointed to the absence of external injuries and sought leniency, citing the accused's financial condition and lack of prior offences, as per the PTI.
However, the court ruled that the serious nature of the crime warranted strict punishment and declined to show leniency.
Special Public Prosecutor Vijay M Munde presented the case, examining 12 witnesses, including the victim, to establish the charges, the news agency reported.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the convict.
Meanwhile, in an another incident, a minor girl was abducted from her home, raped and left unconscious at a village community centre in Maharashtra's Beed district, a police official had said last week, reported the PTI.
The incident took place on March 10 when the victim, who is married, was at her house with her husband, the official said.
"The accused entered the house, gagged and abducted her. He left her tied at the village community centre after raping her. She regained consciousness the following day. She then approached Pimpalner police station after narrating her ordeal to her mother and uncle," he said, according to the PTI.
The accused has been arrested and further probe is being carried out, officials said.
(with PTI inputs)
