Rapist, Victim’s Mother and Sister Jailed in Rare POCSO Verdict

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 26, 2025

In a rare and precedent-setting judgment, a Special POCSO Court in Tripura has sentenced not only a rapist but also the victim’s mother and elder sister for suppressing the crime and intimidating the survivor.

The prime accused, Samir Naha, a goldsmith who lived with the victim’s family during the COVID-19 lockdown, was awarded life imprisonment for repeatedly raping the minor in 2021. Investigations revealed that the victim was threatened with death if she spoke out.

In a move that has drawn national attention, the court also punished the mother and sister of the survivor for shielding the rapist and forcing the child into silence. Legal experts noted that such convictions are extremely rare, marking a strong shift towards accountability for enablers of abuse.

Delivering the verdict, Special Judge Angshuman Debbarma said that obstructing justice and intimidating victims are equally grave offenses under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The case surfaced only after the minor contacted Childline, leading to her rescue and registration of an FIR at Dharmanagar Women Police Station on April 3, 2021. The prosecution examined 17 witnesses during the trial, led by Investigating Officer Sanchita Nath.

Public Prosecutor Sudarshan Sharma said the ruling sends a strong message across the country that sexual abuse cases will not be allowed to be buried under family pressure, social stigma, or financial dependence.

The verdict is being seen as a landmark in India’s fight against child sexual abuse, reinforcing that not only perpetrators but also those who aid and abet such crimes will be brought to justice.

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