50-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Jail in POCSO Case

A court in Cachar has sentenced a 50-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment after convicting him in a case involving the abuse of a minor girl.

The verdict was delivered on Thursday by District and Sessions Judge Biprajit Roy. The convicted man, identified as Babul Lohar, is a resident of Digarkhal Gobindakupa under Kalain Police Station in Cachar district.

According to investigators, the case surfaced in November 2024 after a 15-year-old girl from Lohar’s neighbourhood was found to be around five months pregnant. Family members reportedly questioned the girl after noticing physical changes, following which she named the accused.

Based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s family at the Gumra Police Outpost under Kalain Police Station, police registered a case and launched an investigation. During the course of the probe, the minor later gave birth to a baby boy.

After completion of the investigation, police filed a charge sheet and the matter proceeded to trial. Following the hearing, the court found Lohar guilty under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The court sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000. In default of payment, he will have to serve an additional three months in jail.

The incident had triggered strong reactions in the locality after details of the case emerged last year.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is a special Indian law enacted in 2012 to protect children below the age of 18 from sexual abuse, harassment and exploitation. The Act provides strict punishments for offences against minors and also lays down child-friendly procedures for reporting, investigation and trial to ensure the safety and dignity of victims.