Team Goemkarponn
MAPUSA: For raping twin younger sisters, a 39-year-old man from Deulwada-Hankhane, Pernem, was sentenced by the Goa Children’s Court, Panaji to 20 years of harsh jail and a fine of Rs 5 lakh, or five years of simple imprisonment if he doesn’t pay.
In accordance with Section 8(2) of the Goa Children’s Act, the court also found him guilty and sentenced him to 10 years of harsh imprisonment, a fine of Rs 2 lakh, or, in the event that he did not pay, two years of simple jail.
In addition, the court found him guilty under Sections 5 (1) and (m) of the POCSO Act and sentenced him to 20 years in prison and a fine of Rs 5 lakh, or five years in prison if he didn’t pay the amount.
In addition, the court found him guilty under POCSO Act sections 9(1) and (m) and ordered him to serve 10 years in prison and pay a fine of Rs 2 lakh, or two years in prison if he didn’t pay.
According to Saee A. Prabhudessai, president of the Goa Children’s Court, all of the penalties will be served concurrently.
Additionally, the accused’s sentence of significant incarceration under Section 428 of the IPC will be offset by the custody period.
If a fine is collected from the accused, it must be placed in the victims’ names in an equal fixed deposit account at any nationalised bank until the victims reach majority.
In April 2019, two four-year-old twin children were sexually exploited by the defendant. Eleven witnesses were questioned by the prosecution to bolster its claims.
The accused said throughout the trial that the plaintiff had falsely charged him because she harboured resentment towards him and his wife. The defendant also questioned defence witnesses.
Alvito Assiz Rodrigues, the PSI at the time, looked into the case and filed a charge sheet. Public prosecutor T Narvekar represented the State, while attorney K Raikar argued on behalf of the accused.
