Man sentenced to 20yrs’ RI for sexual assault of minor in Agra

Agra: Dismissing a ‘mental illness’ plea, a special Pocso court in Agra found a 26-year-old man guilty of sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl from his neighbourhood in 2023 and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. The special judge (Pocso), Parvez Akhtar, also imposed a fine of Rs 56,000 on the man.
Additional district govt counsel (ADGC), Madhav Sharma, told TOI, “During the trial, the defence tried to argue for accused Shahid Usmani’s exoneration, claiming he was mentally unstable.However, a thorough assessment conducted by the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, as mandated by court, confirmed that he was of sound mind.”
The court convicted the accused under IPC sections 376 (AB) (rape on a woman under 12 years), 354 (A) (sexual harassment), 354 (B) (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
The ADGC added: “Once confirmed to be of sound mind, the convict pleaded mercy on the grounds that it was his first crime and that he is the family’s sole bread earner. But, the court observed the ‘crime was not just a case of rape, it was a heinous crime against an innocent child.’ “If strict efforts are not made to stop such crimes in society, then the social and educational progress of children who are the country’s future, will not be possible,” the court observed.
In her complaint filed at Shahganj, the girl’s mother had said, “On the morning of March 13, 2023, when my child went out to relieve herself, she returned home traumatised, with clothes torn and injuries on her face and head.”
Following the complaint, police registered an FIR and initiated an investigation, which led to Usmani’s arrest. The child underwent medical tests and provided her testimony before a magistrate. In her statement, she revealed that an unknown man had forcibly abducted her, covered her mouth and committed the crime.