Chennai, 22 February (H.S.): In a recent judgment, a Puducherry court sentenced a farmer to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the rape of a minor girl.

The court's decision came after careful consideration of the evidence presented during the trial. The case highlights the importance of ensuring justice for victims of sexual abuse and upholding the rule of law.

Fast-track court (Pocso) judge M D Sumathi also sentenced him to two years of rigorous imprisonment for marrying the minor girl. Both the terms will run concurrently. The judge slapped a fine of Rs 20,000 on him.

The court sentenced the minor girl's father and aunt and the farmer's father and mother to two years of rigorous imprisonment for solemnizing the child marriage. It imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each on them.

The Thirukkanur police booked the farmer under Section 6 of the Pocso Act and Section 376 (3) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 9 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and arrested him.

The police booked the girl’s father and aunt and the farmer’s father and mother under Section 10 (punishment for solemnizing a child marriage) of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and arrested them.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary