Neighbour, cousin sentenced to 20 years for assaulting child

A Special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Court has sentenced two men to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the prolonged sexual assault of a minor girl. The court also awarded the survivor ₹7 lakh in compensation and ordered action against the investigating officer for serious lapses in handling the case.

Judge Asmikaben B Bhatt convicted both accused—a 73-year-old neighbour and the girl’s maternal uncle’s son—for offences committed over several years. The survivor was about seven years old when the abuse began.

In its 63-page judgement, the court directed that the victim receive compensation under the Gujarat Victim Compensation Scheme. Judge Bhatt observed that when individuals in positions of trust commit such heinous acts, harsh punishment becomes necessary to restore society’s faith in the justice system and ensure children's safety. 

Pattern of abuse spanning multiple years

The court heard that the girl was approximately seven years old and studying in Class 4 when the elderly neighbour began sexually assaulting her. The abuse continued for three to four years and included attempts to rape her.

The trauma continued when she moved to her maternal uncle's home while in Class 5, where her cousin also assaulted her. Both accused had threatened to kill the child if she disclosed the abuse to anyone.

Delayed complaint filed after survivor gained understanding

Additional Public Prosecutor Varsha K Raval explained the significant delay between the incidents, which occurred between 2014 and 2017, and the filing of the FIR in 2023. The prosecutor told the court that the child was extremely young at the time of the assaults and remained silent due to the death threats from both accused.

As the survivor got older, she gradually developed an understanding of what had happened to her years earlier. Despite this realisation, she remained withdrawn and unable to share her trauma with family, relatives or friends, even in Class 12.

The truth emerged only after her mother gained her confidence and insisted she speak about her distress. Following this disclosure, the FIR was registered in 2023.

Court directs action against investigating officer

The judgement highlighted serious negligence by investigating officer (IO) D.P. Undkat. Although the complainant approached the IO on June 13, 2023, no FIR was registered until July 27, 2023—a delay of six weeks.

The court noted that no entry was made in the station diary during this period, nor was any preliminary investigation carried out. Judge Bhatt directed the Superintendent of Police to initiate action, including a departmental inquiry, against the negligent officer and to submit the judgement copy for further steps.