Delhi court sentences man to 5 years’ rigorous imprisonment for sexual assault on minor sister

New Delhi: A Delhi court, while sentencing a man to five years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting his minor sister, said that he had betrayed the brother-sister trust in a family system.
The court of additional sessions judge Babita Puniya on April 30 said the fact that the survivor was the younger sister of the convict and was in his care and protection clearly outweighed the personal circumstances of the convict, including his age.

"Sexual abuse, especially by a family member, leaves lifelong emotional and psychological scars on the survivor that do not heal easily like physical wounds," the judge said. On April 1, he was convicted of the offence punishable under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and section 74 (assault or criminal force used on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), and 76 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe) of BNS.
She pointed out that the survivor was a 14-year-old younger sister of the 22-year-old convict.
Taking note of the fact that the victim was the youngest in the family and her family tried to dissuade her from telling the truth before the court, the judge said that she would still be facing the wrath of her mother and other family members. Keeping this in mind, the court asked the child welfare committee (CWC) to counsel the girl and her family on a regular basis till it is no longer necessary.
The counsel appearing for the CWC told the court that a counselling session was conducted on April 16, during which the child appeared emotionally disturbed and reported feeling guilty as her brother was in judicial custody.
On the question of compensation to the girl, the judge, awarding Rs 3 lakh, said that the suffering of the victim cannot be compensated in monetary terms, but it would provide some solace to her wounds and help her acquire the desired skills or education, which would help her gain some degree of independence.
Advocates Nishant Kumar, special public prosecutor, AN Singh, counsel for the convict, and Shivani Gambhir, DCW counsel, said that the convict was in a position of trust, but he broke it.
New Delhi: A Delhi court, while sentencing a man to five years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting his minor sister, said that he had betrayed the brother-sister trust in a family system.
The court of additional sessions judge Babita Puniya on April 30 said the fact that the survivor was the younger sister of the convict and was in his care and protection clearly outweighed the personal circumstances of the convict, including his age.
"Sexual abuse, especially by a family member, leaves lifelong emotional and psychological scars on the survivor that do not heal easily like physical wounds," the judge said. On April 1, he was convicted of the offence punishable under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and section 74 (assault or criminal force used on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), and 76 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe) of BNS.
She pointed out that the survivor was a 14-year-old younger sister of the 22-year-old convict.
Taking note of the fact that the victim was the youngest in the family and her family tried to dissuade her from telling the truth before the court, the judge said that she would still be facing the wrath of her mother and other family members. Keeping this in mind, the court asked the child welfare committee (CWC) to counsel the girl and her family on a regular basis till it is no longer necessary.
The counsel appearing for the CWC told the court that a counselling session was conducted on April 16, during which the child appeared emotionally disturbed and reported feeling guilty as her brother was in judicial custody.
On the question of compensation to the girl, the judge, awarding Rs 3 lakh, said that the suffering of the victim cannot be compensated in monetary terms, but it would provide some solace to her wounds and help her acquire the desired skills or education, which would help her gain some degree of independence.
Advocates Nishant Kumar, special public prosecutor, AN Singh, counsel for the convict, and Shivani Gambhir, DCW counsel, said that the convict was in a position of trust, but he broke it.