Cachar POCSO Court Sentences 59-Year-Old to 5 Years for Sexual Assault on Minor

In a significant verdict, the Special (POCSO) Court in Cachar on Monday sentenced 59-year-old Pradeep Kumar Dutta to five years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl. The court also imposed a total fine of Rs. 21,000 on the convict, with additional imprisonment in case of non-payment.

The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge (POCSO), Narayan Kuri. The case dates back to February 8, 2023, when the incident occurred at the Das Colony area of Balighat, under the jurisdiction of the Arunachal Police Outpost in Cachar.

Dutta, a Central Security Force personnel, took advantage of the absence of the minor’s parents and entered the house around 10 AM. The child was alone when he committed the assault.

According to the complaint filed by the victim’s family, the minor screamed for help during the assault, prompting her mother, who was nearby-to rush back home. Seeing her, Dutta fled the scene after allegedly threatening the child with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident.

The family lodged a complaint at the local outpost, and a case was subsequently registered.

Following a thorough investigation, charges were framed under Sections 376 and 448 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 6 and 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court held its first hearing on February 17, 2024.

Section 376 of the IPC amounts for “Punishment for Rape”, Section 448 deals with “Punishment for House Trespass”; whereas, Section 6 of POCSO Act deals with “Punishment for Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault” and Section 10 of the POCSO Act deals with “Punishment for Aggravated Sexual Assault”.

After several rounds of hearings and the examination of witnesses, the court pronounced its final judgment on June 23, 2025 (Monday). Dutta was convicted under Section 10 of the POCSO Act and sentenced to five years of imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 20,000.

By default, he will have to undergo an additional six months of imprisonment. Under Section 448 of the IPC, he was awarded six months’ imprisonment and fined Rs. 1,000, with another month’s imprisonment in case of non-payment.

The judgment brings partial closure to the traumatised family.