One sentenced for sexually assaulting 7-year-old girl

One sentenced for sexually assaulting 7-year-old girl
HERLAD REPORTER
PANJIM, APRIL 30
The Children’s Court on Friday sentenced a 32-year-old father of two children from
Carambolim on the charge of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl after luring her with a guava on March 25, 2008.
The Children’s court held Deepak Khandeparkar guilty of touching private parts of the victim and sentenced him to undergo simple imprisonment for three months and to pay fine of Rs 1 lakh. And in default, to undergo further simple imprisonment for a period of one month.
The Court has further ordered that in case the fine is paid by the accused, an amount of Rs 50000 should be kept in fixed deposit in any nationalised bank, in the name of the victim child till attaining the age of majority. And amount should be handed over to her along with interest. Whereas remaining Rs 50000 to be forfeited to the government, the Court ordered. As per the case filed by victim’s mother on the date of the incident, the accused called the victim child under the pretext of giving guava and thereafter took her in his room and touched her private parts.
The victim immediately told her mother what had happened to her in the presence of some neighbours and thereafter complaint was filed. The Public Prosecutor Poonam Bharne submitted that there was strong evidence to prove that accused called the victim to his room and sexually assaulted her.
The defence counsel submitted that a false complaint was filed against the accused also there was no medical evidence to support the charges.
However, Court held that prosecution has succeeded in proving the guilt for the offence of sexual assault as defined in section 2(y)(ii) and punishable under section 8(2) of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003 read with section 354 of the Indian Penal Code.
However, considering the fact that accused is a father of two children aged three and four and the only earning member in the family and that there is no criminal record or background, he was considered for lighter punishment.
“The accused is 32-years-old and considering his dependency of the family of two young children, I consider that imposing of lighter punishment will suffice the purpose. However, the fine has to be paid, as provided under section 8(2) which is of Rs 1 lakh”, the Court observed.