Setting a new example of speedy justice, an Araria court sentenced Mohammed Major, 48, to death for sexually assaulting a six-year-old Dalit girl within 15 days of filing the chargesheet. There were only three hearings in the case.
He is a resident of Veernagar West under Bhargama police station of Araria district.
On Thursday, ADJ-6-cum-POSCO Act Special Judge Shashikant Rai awarded death sentence and a fine of Rs 10,000 under the SC/ST Act. Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), DLSA Secretary has also been instructed to give Rs 10 lakh rupees from the 'Victims Fund' to the girl's family.
The man had sexually assaulted the six-year-old on December 1.
After the incident on December 1, the investigating officer Rita Kumari had filed the chargesheet in court on January 12. The court took cognizance of the matter on January 20 following which charges were framed on January 22. The accused was convicted on January 25 and sentenced on January 27.
Victim's counsel LP Nayak termed the decision historic.
"A special court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on Friday sentenced a man to death for the rape of a six-year-old girl. This is historic," he said.
Superintendent of Police, Araria, Ashok Kumar Singh said, "The incident happened on December 1 last year. An FIR was filed in the matter on December 2, 2021. A case was filed under provisions of IPC, SC& ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act & POCSO Act against the accused. On January 25, he was convicted by the court and on January 27, he was given the death sentence. Court also directed to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the victim. The court issued its decision within 56 days after the incident."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Mahadalit Teens Gang-Raped Near Patna, 1 Found Dead; Cops Arrest 1 Supreme Court Demands Action Report In Bihar Care Home Sex Assault Case Bihar Man Gets Life Term In India's "Fastest" Rape Case Conviction AR Rahman, Wife Saira Announce Separation After 29 Years Of Marriage Strangled, Left In Car Trunk: How Harshita Brella Was Killed By Husband Amid Souring Ties With India, Canada's Latest Move Inconveniences Fliers No Baba Siddique, Son Zeeshan Shares First Voting Experience Without Him 4 Arrested For Gangraping, Blackmailing Law Student In Andhra Pradesh Taliban Removes 'Un-Islamic' Books, Anti-Government Literature Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.