Indore Court Sentences Youth to Four Life Terms for Rape of Minor

In a landmark ruling, a 20-year-old man, Abhishek, has been sentenced to four consecutive life imprisonments for the rape of a minor in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The decision was made by the court of second additional sessions judge and special judge under the POCSO Act, Savita Jadia, despite the victim retracting her statements. The conviction was primarily based on compelling scientific evidence presented during the trial. The case dates back to March 2021, when the victim, a minor, disclosed her ordeal to the police while receiving treatment at MY Hospital. She revealed that the accused, who lived in the flat above her family's residence, had developed a friendship with her over several months. Their relationship escalated to physical intimacy, beginning in August 2020, under the pretense of a promise of marriage. The situation took a dire turn when the victim suspected she was pregnant. Following a positive pregnancy test, the accused provided her with abortion medication. After undergoing medical treatment on March 4, 2021, her health significantly deteriorated, prompting her parents to seek medical help. It was during this treatment that doctors informed her parents about the complications arising from the abortion, leading the victim to disclose the full extent of her experiences. The court's decision underscores the importance of scientific evidence in sexual assault cases, particularly when victims may feel pressured to retract their statements. The ruling aims to deliver justice and serve as a deterrent against such heinous crimes.