Mumbai man sentenced to 12 years for assaulting 11-year-old

In March 2017, a 55-year-old man living in Kandivali was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy. The victim disclosed the abuse to his father, leading to a confrontation with the accused. Despite being warned to stay away from the child, the man assaulted the boy again two days later when he was alone at home. The victim reported the incident to his father upon his return, prompting a police investigation and subsequent arrest of the accused. The accused claimed that the allegations were fabricated due to a financial dispute with the boy's father, who allegedly owed him money. He also suggested that the boy was suffering from delusions. However, the court did not accept these defenses, focusing instead on the victim's testimony. Medical evidence was limited, as the boy was examined 20 hours after the assault, and crucial chemical analysis reports were reportedly destroyed. The special court, operating under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, ultimately sentenced the man to 12 years in prison. The case highlights the challenges faced in prosecuting sexual offenses against minors, particularly when medical evidence is lacking and the accused presents alternative narratives. This ruling serves as a significant reminder of the legal system's commitment to protecting children from sexual abuse, emphasizing the importance of victim testimony in securing convictions despite potential evidentiary shortcomings.