A special court operating under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has sentenced Sheikh Imtiyaz, a resident of Sangrah Khurd, Garhwa, to life imprisonment with hard labour until death. Judge Dinesh Kumar, presiding over the court on Monday, also imposed a fine of ₹100,000. The sentence relates to the rape of Imtiyazs minor daughter.   The case was officially recorded at Garhwa Police Station under Crime No. 197/2023 on 15 May 2023, following a written complaint from Sheikh Enullah, the victims grandfather, also a resident of Sangrahe Khurd, Garhwa. The complaint stated that the victim appeared distressed at home. Upon questioning by her grandfather, she disclosed that her father had been raping her during the Roza period before Eid. The victim reported repeated acts of abuse at their home, accompanied by threats from her father of serious repercussions, including cutting out her tongue and throwing her into a dam, should she reveal the abuse. She had also informed her mother about the incidents. When confronted, Imtiyaz allegedly responded with abuse and threats of violence. Subsequently, the victims grandfather convened a community meeting (panchayat) and took her into his care. The accused then allegedly issued death threats.   Acting on the grandfathers written complaint, Garhwa Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and arrested the accused on 20 May 2023, subsequently remanding him in custody. A chargesheet was filed against him under sections 376 AB, 5M, and 6 of the POCSO Act. The court acknowledged the various sections, framed charges against the accused, and promptly scheduled dates for the prosecution to present evidence. Public Prosecutor Umesh Dixit presented the testimony of eight witnesses, while the defence presented two witnesses.   Based on the available documents and evidence, and after hearing arguments from both sides, the court found the accused guilty. Following deliberations regarding the sentence, the court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment with hard labour and a fine of ₹100,000, remanding him to judicial custody. The court stipulated that in the event of non-payment of the fine, the accused would serve an additional one-year sentence.   The court has referred the case to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) secretary for victim compensation and has also sent it to the Garhwa Deputy Commissioner under Section 365 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

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