New Delhi [India], March 29 (HBTV): Delhi's Tis Hazari court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raping and impregnating his minor daughter aged 17 years. She gave birth to a child. A First Information Report was lodged in the year 2022 in regard to this case.

Special judge (POCSO) Babita Punia sentenced the convict to life imprisonment under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court said that life imprisonment shall mean the remainder of the natural life of the convict. The court has also imposed a fine of INR 10,000 on the convict.  

However, no separate sentence is awarded for offences under Section 354 A and Section 12 of the Indian Penal Code as they were committed in the course of the same transaction. 

The court rejected the request for leniency in awarding the sentence and said, "The ‘diabolical’ nature of the crime and the fact that the victim was the convict's daughter and was in his care and protection clearly outweigh the personal circumstances of the convict, including his age." 

"The interest of justice demands that maximum sentence prescribed by the legislation must be imposed. The convict has failed dismally to show existence of substantial and compelling reasons for taking a lenient view," Special judge said in the order passed on March 22, 2024.

The court also noted that the convict used to write letters to his daughter during the course of the trial to emotionally influence her.     

Praying to take a lenient view, it was submitted that the convict was the family's sole bread earner, and that he was under the influence of alcohol and could not differentiate between his wife and daughter. 

The wife (mother of the victim) of the convict also prayed to the court for leniency. It was submitted by the Delhi Commission for Women's (DCW) counsel that the convict had shown no remorse for the rape. 

"He did not care that the victim was his own daughter or he was the protector as in Indian culture the one who protects is known as father. However, he turned predator when his wife was not at home," the DCW argued. 

The court has awarded compensation of a total of INR 13 lakh to the victim for her relief and rehabilitation. 

The court has directed the jail authorities to pay 70 per cent of wages earned by the convict to his family for its needs and the remaining 30 per cent amount may be utilized by the convict for his personal needs. However, he is at liberty to transfer more funds to his family, it said. 

The DCW’s counsel also said the convict's wife works in a private school and earns just INR 5-6,000 per month, and it was not sufficient for the family.         

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.