Delhi High Court

‘Digital Rape’ on Minor: Delhi HC Reduces Sentence of Convict

 The Delhi High Court has reduced the 20-year prison sentence of a 38-year-old man convicted of “digital rape” on a four-year-old girl in 2014 to 12 years.

A bench of Justice Amit Bansal cited the appellant’s substantial life ahead, along with the responsibility of caring for his aging mother, and noted his satisfactory conduct in jail.

“The trial court had sentenced the appellant for 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, observing that the appellant had committed ‘digital rape’ on a child of four years at the time of the incident,” stated the court.

The term “digital rape” refers to the act of penetration using fingers.

While upholding the conviction under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the court emphasized, “In my considered view, ends of justice will be met if the sentence of the appellant is reduced to 12 years. In this view of the matter, I deem it appropriate to reduce the sentence of the appellant from 20 to 12 years. The fine of Rs 15,000 awarded by the trial court is retained.”

The appellant, who is the brother-in-law of the victim’s tutor, received a 20-year jail term in 2021 under Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code, along with a fine of Rs 15,000 from the trial court.

The court highlighted that under the POCSO Act, penetrative sexual assault includes any insertion, to any extent, of an object or body part into the vagina, urethra, or anus of a child. In this case, the appellant failed to successfully rebut the “presumption” against him by presenting evidence or discrediting the prosecution’s evidence.

The court observed that the trial court rightly maintained that the defense witness, the tuition teacher related to the appellant, turning hostile does not negate the statements of the victim child.

Nunnem Gangte

Recent Posts

Punjab & Haryana HC Notice To Jindal Law School Over AI-Generated Exam Claims

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday has issued a notice to Jindal Global…

3 hours ago

ED Files Money Laundering Complaint Against Charanjit Singh Bajaj, 4 Others

The ED on Tuesday has filed a Prosecution Complaint before the Special Court in Mohali…

3 hours ago

Pune Porsche Case: SC Rejects Anticipatory Bail To Father Of Minor Driver’s Friend

The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied bail to Arunkumar Devnath Singh, whose son is a…

5 hours ago

SC Dumps Plea Against Quashing LOC For Sushant Singh Rajput’s Ex-House Help

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the Centre's appeal against a Bombay High Court order…

5 hours ago

Rape Case: SC Issues Notice On Ex-Army Officer’s Plea For Quashing Charge sheet

The Supreme Court on Tuesday has agreed to review a plea from retired Army Captain…

6 hours ago

Chhattisgarh NAN Scam: FIR Against 2 Retired IAS Officers, Former AG

The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau on Tuesday has registered a case against 2 retired IAS officers…

6 hours ago