Palghar, Maharashtra: A statement given using sign language by an intellectually disabled 16-year-old girl, who cannot speak, has led to the conviction of her rapist.
A special court in Vasai, which hears cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, on Friday sentenced the convict, a 48-year-old labourer, to life imprisonment.
Special POCSO judge SV Kongal, in his order, also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on convict Sanehi Srikisan Gaur.
During the trial, special public prosecutor Jaiprakash Patil told the court that Gaur raped the girl, who lived in his neighbourhood, in January 2017 when no one was at his house.
The girl later informed her mother about the sexual assault through gestures, following which her family lodged a police complaint against Gaud, who is married and has two children.
Patil said nine prosecution witnesses, including the victim who communicated through sign language, testified in the court.
The court said that the girl has moderate intellectual disability and she is unable to understand the difference between good and bad, right and wrong, which makes the crime serious.
"Considering the nature of the offence, I am of the view that the maximum punishment should be given to the accused," the judge said in his order sentencing Gaur to life imprisonment.
A special court in Vasai, which hears cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, on Friday sentenced the convict, a 48-year-old labourer, to life imprisonment.
Special POCSO judge SV Kongal, in his order, also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on convict Sanehi Srikisan Gaur.
During the trial, special public prosecutor Jaiprakash Patil told the court that Gaur raped the girl, who lived in his neighbourhood, in January 2017 when no one was at his house.
The girl later informed her mother about the sexual assault through gestures, following which her family lodged a police complaint against Gaud, who is married and has two children.
Patil said nine prosecution witnesses, including the victim who communicated through sign language, testified in the court.
The court said that the girl has moderate intellectual disability and she is unable to understand the difference between good and bad, right and wrong, which makes the crime serious.
"Considering the nature of the offence, I am of the view that the maximum punishment should be given to the accused," the judge said in his order sentencing Gaur to life imprisonment.
