Madhya Pradesh: 20-Year RI Under POCSO Act; 10-Year RI For Unnatural Sex With Minor

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Bhopal District and Sessions Court on Monday awarded 20 years of rigorous imprisonment under the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In addition, 10 years of rigorous imprisonment was awarded under Section 377 of IPC to convict Lokesh Dhruve.

Additional Sessions Judge Kumudini Patel passed the order. According to special public prosecution Divya Shukla, the victim along with her mother visited Misrod police station and submitted a written complaint on May 31, 2022, stating that victim’s mother had gone to her clinic and dropped her at the house of accused who was also the teacher of the victim.

When she returned at 7.30 pm, she brought the victim (daughter) home. As it was hot (summer) day, she took her to bathe when she found redness and swelling around her private parts.

When asked, the victim said she was playing at her friend's house when her friend’s father (also her teacher) locked the hall gate and took off her pants.

After that, her friend's father touched her private parts indecently and hit her on the private parts and inserted something inside anus. On the basis of incident, the police registered a case under Sections 377, 376 (a,b) IPC and 5/6 POCSO Act and began investigation.

The court convicted the accused and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, imposing fine of Rs 1,000 under Sections 376(a)(b) IPC 5M/6 POCSO Act and 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 1,000 fine under Section 377 of IPC.