New Delhi: A court here has sentenced a man to life rigorous imprisonment for raping his 10-year-old daughter.
Special Judge Anu Aggarwal sentenced the man, who was earlier convicted under Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
In an order passed on April 27, the court said that life imprisonment would mean "the remaining natural life of the convict".
During the proceedings, Additional Public Prosecutor Arun KV sought maximum punishment.
The judge said that soon after the death of the 10-year-old victim's mother, the convict subjected her daughter to the "most heinous crime" of severe penetrative sexual assault.
He said the frequently heard phrase 'Papa ki Ladli' (beloved daughter) reflects the affectionate relationship between a father and daughter. "Yet, what is a child to do when the protector becomes the devourer?" He added.
The court said that a child has unconditional trust in his parents and expects love, affection and protection from them.
It said that when the safe premises of a home were turned into a place of sexual assault, the child had no place to go.
The court said that if the "predator" was the biological father of the child, it amounts to a betrayal of trust and loss of social values.
It added that such a crime left a long-term emotional and psychological impact on the child, who, with such invisible wounds, lost trust in family and friends in general and society in particular.
The court has awarded a total compensation of Rs 12 lakh to the victim for relief and rehabilitation.
Special Judge Anu Aggarwal sentenced the man, who was earlier convicted under Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
In an order passed on April 27, the court said that life imprisonment would mean "the remaining natural life of the convict".
During the proceedings, Additional Public Prosecutor Arun KV sought maximum punishment.
The judge said that soon after the death of the 10-year-old victim's mother, the convict subjected her daughter to the "most heinous crime" of severe penetrative sexual assault.
He said the frequently heard phrase 'Papa ki Ladli' (beloved daughter) reflects the affectionate relationship between a father and daughter. "Yet, what is a child to do when the protector becomes the devourer?" He added.
The court said that a child has unconditional trust in his parents and expects love, affection and protection from them.
It said that when the safe premises of a home were turned into a place of sexual assault, the child had no place to go.
The court said that if the "predator" was the biological father of the child, it amounts to a betrayal of trust and loss of social values.
It added that such a crime left a long-term emotional and psychological impact on the child, who, with such invisible wounds, lost trust in family and friends in general and society in particular.
The court has awarded a total compensation of Rs 12 lakh to the victim for relief and rehabilitation.
