Surat court sentences man to life imprisonment for assault of 4-year-old girl

A Special Fast Track Court in Surat has convicted and sentence life imprisonment to a 29-year-old man Ankit Gautam, in a shocking child sexual assault case involving a four-year-old girl. 

The incident occurred on the night of February 20, 2024, in the Chowkbazar area of Surat. The victim, a four-year-and-six-month-old girl, went missing while playing outside her residence. Her parents and local police launched an intensive search after she could not be found.

Investigators later reviewed CCTV footage, which showed a man leading the child away. Several hours later, the girl was discovered in a severely injured and unclothed condition near a residential area. She was immediately rushed to a hospital, where medical examination confirmed sexual assault and serious physical injuries.

During the investigation, police collected CCTV footage, forensic evidence, medical reports, and witness testimonies. DNA and scientific evidence, along with identification procedures and CCTV analysis, linked the accused, to the crime.

The court found that the victim was below five years of age at the time of the offence, making the crime particularly grave under the POCSO Act. After examining oral, documentary, medical, and forensic evidence, the court held the accused guilty of kidnapping, rape and several other section of IPC and POCSO Act.

The court also directed district legal service authority to pay compensation of ₹10.50 lakh rupees to the kin of the victim.