Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Raping 5-Year-Old in Maharashtra

Thane: A labourer named Suraj Balu Mahanto, aged 35, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the rape of a 5-year-old girl that occurred five years ago. The judgement was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge and Special Judge (POCSO), V V Virkar, who also imposed a fine of ₹20,300 on the convict.

The case, prosecuted by Special Public Prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale, revolved around an incident in September 2018 when Mahanto kidnapped the child from near her residence and committed the heinous crime. Legal action was taken against him under both the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The judge, after careful consideration, found the prosecution’s evidence to be compelling and deemed it appropriate to convict the accused under Section 376 (AB) of the IPC, which carries a minimum sentence of 20 years. As a result, Suraj Balu Mahanto has been sentenced solely for the offence punishable under Section 376(AB) of the IPC, as it entails a more severe penalty compared to the provisions of the POCSO Act. This verdict marks a significant step towards justice and child protection in the region.