In a significant judgment reinforcing the gender-neutral protection of children under the law, the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Dr. Amit Kumar Garg has sentenced a convict—who was a minor at the time of the crime—to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Case Details
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The Victim: The case involves the sexual assault of a minor boy. The complaint was filed by the victim’s mother in March 2024 at the Thanesar City police station.
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Tried as Adult: Due to the heinous nature of the crime (aggravated penetrative sexual assault), the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) transferred the case to the sessions court, ordering the accused (aged between 16 and 18) to be tried as an adult.
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The Verdict: The court convicted the accused under Section 6 of the POCSO Act (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) and Section 377 (unnatural offenses) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
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The Sentence: Along with the 20-year jail term, the court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on the convict. In default of payment, the imprisonment will be extended by an additional period.
Judicial Observation The court emphasized that the age of the offender cannot be a ground for leniency in such grave offenses. The swift trial and strict sentencing reflect the judiciary’s commitment to delivering justice to male victims of sexual abuse, a category often underreported.
