Kidnapping and raping a five-year-old girl, accused sentenced to 20 years

A special court in Chhattisgarh's Balod district has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the abduction and rape of a five-year-old girl. Special Public Prosecutor Channu Lal Sahu said that Special POCSO Judge Mukesh Kumar Patre on Tuesday convicted Ramkumar Salam (25), a resident of Bhainsbod under Balod police station area, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and IPC. He said the accused was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 3,500.

According to the prosecution, in November 2021, Salam kidnapped and sexually assaulted a minor girl. The girl returned home and narrated the whole incident to her parents. Subsequently, a case was registered at the Balod police station on the basis of a complaint lodged by the victim's parents.

Taking quick action in the matter, the police immediately arrested Salam and within 48 hours of the incident, the charge sheet was presented in the court. Balod superintendent of police (SP) Sadanand Kumar said the court has delivered the verdict in 87 days.