Rape of minor: Two brothers sentenced to 20 years imprisonment

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, November 5, 2024

A special court on Tuesday sentenced two brothers to 20 years in jail after being found guilty of raping and blackmailing a minor girl multiple times over a period of time. The incident came to light when the victim became pregnant and gave birth to a child.According to Public Prosecutor Sudarshan Sharma, the heinous crime took place in February 2021. The victim, a young girl, was lured into the house of the accused brothers under the pretence of fetching water.

Taking advantage of the absence of the accused's mother, the elder brother, Prasanta Debnath, forcefully raped the girl. His younger brother, Pappu Debnath, witnessed the act and later blackmailed the victim. Over the next year, both brothers repeatedly raped the girl, exploiting her fear of social stigma. It wasn't until she became pregnant and gave birth that her family became aware of the horrific ordeal.

A police complaint was filed in February 2022, and the investigating officer, Usha Rani Debnath, swiftly filed the charge sheet within two months. The special POCSO court conducted a thorough trial, examining the testimonies of 23 witnesses before delivering the verdict. The court sentenced both brothers to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment under the POCSO Act, along with a fine of Rs 25,000 each. Additionally, they were sentenced to 10 years in jail and a fine of Rs 10,000 each under IPC Section 376 for rape and one year in jail under IPC Section 506 for criminal intimidation. All sentences will run concurrently.