Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Itanagar: A Special POCSO Court in Yupia has sentenced 22-year-old Doley to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old deaf-mute girl. Special Judge Dr. Hirendra Kashyap delivered the verdict, finding the accused guilty under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and imposing a fine of Rs 20,000.
The incident took place on April 19, 2021, when the victim was grazing cattle near Gumto. The prosecution stated that Doley followed the girl into a forested area and committed the assault. Local residents notified the victim's family, leading her father to file an official report at the Women Police Station in Itanagar.
During the trial, the court heard testimony from 12 witnesses, including the survivor. Despite her inability to speak, the court noted that she effectively communicated through gestures and identified Doley as her attacker. Medical examinations confirmed injuries consistent with forceful penetration, and forensic evidence placed the accused at the scene.
The defense requested a reduced sentence because Doley had no prior record and served as his family's sole provider. However, the court emphasized the victim's vulnerability as a differently-abled minor. While the judge ruled the case did not meet the criteria for the death penalty, he denied any request for probation.
The court has directed the District Legal Services Authority in Papum Pare to provide financial compensation to the victim under the Arunachal Pradesh Victim Compensation Act of 2011.
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