PANJIM, SEPT 20
Children’s Court today sentenced an unemployed youth to 10 years rigorous imprisonment, convicted for raping an eight-year-old girl in her house when her parents were at work on December 1, 2006.
President P V Sawaikar sentenced Vishal Devidas (28) to 10 years RI, which will run concurrent to sentence period of other offences, as well including grave sexual assault, wrong confinement and trespass.
The Court has also imposed fine of Rs 4.05-lakhs on the accused for all offenses, of which, Rs one-lakh will be paid as compensation to the victim minor.
The Court had convicted Devidas on August 27 on the testimonies of the victim and one of her two younger brothers. The medical evidence too supported the testimony that proved recent sexual assault on the girl.
Quepem police in the chargesheet mentioned that the accused dragged the victim in her bedroom and sexually assaulted her when she was alone with her younger siblings. On hearing her cry for help, both brothers rushed to her rescue but they found that the accused had latched the door from inside.
The boys then emptied a water barrel and climbed it to find out what was happening inside. One of the brothers warned Devidas to leave his sister but all efforts were in vain.
The entire narration was recorded by the Court wherein the victim revealed that her brothers had seen the accused committing the offence through the window of the bedroom.
The victim’s brother also mentioned that he had seen the situation wherein he shouted at the accused to leave his sister but the latter refused to do so.
Public prosecutor examined around 12 witnesses and requested to punish him severely being a grave offence.
Splitting the total punishment, the Court has sentenced the accused to 10years RI and Rs two-lakh fine on charges of rape and grave sexual assault each, while he is asked to undergo three years imprisonment and fine of Rs five thousand for house trespass.
In the final indict of wrong confinement, the Court has ordered the accused one-year RI. In default, he is directed to undergo additional six month simple imprisonment. The imprisonment period will run concurrently.
