look news india
A very strict, historic and inspiring decision of the judiciary regarding child rights and protection of children has come out from the country’s financial capital Mumbai. A special POCSO court in Mumbai has convicted a 50-year-old man and sentenced him to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment in a case of serious child sexual abuse of a four-year-old innocent girl. During the hearing before the court, the accused, while defending himself, had made an absurd and childish claim that he was only expressing his ‘affection and love’ towards the girl. But the special court, while completely rejecting this sophistry of the accused, made this historical observation in blunt words that “Forcibly kissing a child or doing unwanted acts with him can never be affection or love.” Let us know what other strict comments the court has made in this sensational case and what was the entire incident.
“Forcibly kissing a child is not love”: Court rejects accused’s ridiculous claim
Special judge Richa D. Khedekar of the fast track special court hearing the case pronounced the verdict on the basis of solid evidence and witnesses presented by the prosecution. The court clearly said in its decision that the prosecution has completely proved the crime of serious sexual assault on an innocent girl below 12 years of age.
During the hearing, when the accused argued that he was only loving the girl, the judge took this excuse seriously and reprimanded him. The court said that in such cases where the victim is only four years old, very strict and exemplary punishment should be given to the criminals at the initial stage itself, so that a strong message is sent to the society and in future no predator can muster the courage to commit such a despicable act against a minor child. Apart from 5 years of imprisonment, the court has also imposed a financial fine of Rs 10,000 on the accused, and has provided for additional simple imprisonment in case of non-payment of the fine. Besides, an order has also been given to give Rs 5,000 as compensation to the victim girl.
What was the whole matter? That dreadful incident of March 3, 2025
This shocking incident happened last year i.e. 3 March 2025 It happened in Mumbai. According to the details presented in the court by the prosecution, that day the four-year-old innocent girl was going towards a temple with her mother. On the way, the 50-year-old accused suddenly appeared there, who was a complete stranger to the girl.
Taking the opportunity, the accused forcibly caught hold of the little girl and held her neck and hands tightly. After this, he brutally kissed the girl forcibly and bit her badly on her cheek and the back of her neck, due to which the frightened girl started crying loudly in pain and fear. Hearing the cry of the girl, the local people present there immediately came running and without wasting a moment, they caught the accused on the spot. Vigilant citizens caught the accused and immediately handed him over to the police, after which the police registered a case under the POCSO Act and took legal action.
The court accepted the testimony of the four year old innocent girl as completely reliable.
As per the legal process of this case, the charge sheet was filed in the court on 9 May 2025. After this, charges were framed against the accused on 8 April 2026 and the process of presenting evidence under speedy trial started from the very next day.
During the hearing of the case, the court especially took note of the fact that the girl expressed her views in a very natural and clear manner during cross-examination. The girl had told that sometimes people known to her family would lovingly pick her up, throw her in the air, kiss her and hand her back to her mother. Explaining this logical difference, the court said that such familiar and familial behavior happens with people whom the child knows well and on whom she trusts, whereas the accused in this case was a complete stranger. The court considered the girl’s testimony to be completely credible, clear and irrefutable, despite her young age.
Punishment based on statements of eyewitnesses and strong evidence
While delivering the judgement, the fast track court judge also mentioned that she had considered factors like the age of the accused and his absence of any previous criminal history, but the nature of the crime was so serious that leniency was not possible.
Based on strong eyewitness accounts, medical reports and the fearless testimony of the girl, the court concluded that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had physically assaulted the innocent victim below 12 years of age. After this decision, it has once again been proved how sensitive and strict the judiciary is taking in crimes against children. This decision is being welcomed by every section of the society.