Raipur/Durg, Sep 11 (IANS) : A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Chhattisgarh’s Durg has sentenced a 24-year-old man to death for the rape and murder of his six-year-old “niece” in April 2025.
Additional Sessions Judge of the Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) convicted Somesh Yadav under Section 6(1) of the POCSO Act and Sections 103(1) and 238(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 under the POCSO Act and Section 103(1) of the BNS, with an additional one-year imprisonment in case of default. Under Section 238(a) of the BNS, the convict was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000, with one month’s additional imprisonment for non-payment.
BNS Section 238(a) deals with disappearance of evidence or giving false information. The sentences will run concurrently.
The court further directed that the family of the deceased child be paid Rs 7 lakh as compensation under the state government’s compensation scheme.
The case originated in April 2025 when the six-year-old girl was reported missing from the Mohan Nagar police station area in Durg. Her body was later recovered from a car parked near her residence.
Medical examination confirmed that she had been subjected to sexual assault. Police conducted DNA tests on four suspects. The samples matched those of the child’s uncle, Somesh Yadav. He was arrested and, during interrogation, confessed to the crime. A case of rape and murder was registered against him, and he was produced before the court.
During the trial, the prosecution established the charges through medical, forensic and other evidence. The court found the accused guilty on all counts and held that the crime warranted the maximum punishment prescribed under law. The convict remains in judicial custody. Further legal remedies available to him will follow the prescribed procedure.
Authorities have reiterated that crimes against minors will continue to be investigated and prosecuted with the highest priority.
