Court refuses to show leniency to man who 'attempted to rape' minor in Mumbai, awards 10 years in jail
India Today
A man — who, along with his friend, attempted to rape a minor in Mumbai in 2015 — has been awarded a 10-year jail sentence. The court refused to show leniency on account that the rape was not committed by the accused.
A labourer has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison by a special court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act for attempting to rape a minor along with another person in the Aarey area of Mumbai in 2015. The other accused in the case had died in custody. So, the case against him was closed.
Special judge HC Shende in a detailed judgement said, "Even in ordinary criminal terminology, rape is a crime more heinous than murder as it destroys the very soul of a helpless woman. In this matter, the minor victim was a slow-witted girl. The accused persons were from her area, knowing well about her abnormality. They lured her with Rs 10 and tried to rape her. The gravity of the crime, therefore, is increased."
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He added, "This is a case where the crime had a deleterious effect on the civilized society. Ordinarily, the offence of rape is grave in its nature. More so when the perpetrator of the crime committed rape on the minor victim who is a slow-witted girl."
The complainant stated she worked as a gardener and lived in Aarey with her children. She did not put her daughter in a school due to her inability to comprehend things quickly. In Sept 2015, when the woman returned from work, she noticed a difference in her gait.
Later, she noticed some differences in her behaviour as well. When asked about it, she told the woman that the accused, Nilesh Urade, and the now-deceased accused, Risha Hadal, took her to a nearby forest. They lured her by saying that they would give her Rs 10. In the forest, they disrobed and sexually assaulted her.
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