NEW DELHI: A 63-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for repeated sexual assault on a minor girl. Consequently, the victim became pregnant.
A Patiala House court convicted Radhey Shyam under the POCSO Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) after establishing him as the biological father of the foetus based on forensic evidence.
The court of Additional Sessions Judge Prabh Deep Kaur, Patiala House Courts, awarded the sentence on Oct 31, following his conviction on Sept 18. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh on the convict.
Sentencing him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 50,000 under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, the court awarded the convict 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 50,000 under Section 64(2)(m) of the BNS.
He was also sentenced to six months’ simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 under Section 351 of the BNS. All sentences will run concurrently.
According to DCP Amit Goel, South West Delhi, the case came to light on February 6, 2025, when police received information about a minor girl admitted to Safdarjung Hospital with pregnancy.
During investigation, the girl disclosed that the accused, who lived in the same building as the girl’s family, sexually assaulted her repeatedly by threatening her.
Even after shifting to a new residence, he continued to sexually abuse her, eventually resulting in her pregnancy.
Following the victim’s statement, an FIR was registered at the Sarojini Nagar police station and the accused was arrested after investigators collected evidence against him.
A forensic examination subsequently established that Radhey Shyam was the biological father of the foetus, providing crucial scientific corroboration to the victim’s allegations and significantly strengthening the prosecution’s case.
Police filed a chargesheet before the court on April 1, 2025. During the trial, the prosecution presented the victim’s account and forensic evidence to establish the guilt of the accused.
The conviction was secured through coordinated efforts by the investigating team and the prosecution, with Additional Public Prosecutor Ajay Agarwal presenting the case before the court. - The Statesman/ANN
