Srinagar- A Fast Track Court for POCSO cases here on Friday sentenced a 25-year-old man to 14 years’ simple imprisonment and imposed Rs 15,000 fine for sexual assault on a minor, while also awarding Rs 5 lakh as victim compensation for the survivor’s rehabilitation.

Presiding Officer Umi Kulsoom had held the convict, S A Sheikh, a resident of Srinagar, guilty under Section 4 of the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act  and Sections 363 and 376 of the IPC on December 30 last.

The court ordered 14 years’ imprisonment under POCSO, 10 years under Section 376 IPC (rape), and seven years under Section 363 IPC (kidnapping). However it directed that all sentences run concurrently. In default of payment of the fine, the convict will undergo three months’ additional imprisonment, the court said. The period already spent in custody will be set off under Section 428 CrPC, the court said.

The case dates back to April 2021 and according to the prosecution the FIR was registered when the victim’s father reported his 17-year-old daughter missing. Police later recovered the minor from the accused’s custody at Srinagar locality. Following FSL and medical opinions, charges under POCSO and 376 IPC were added.

While the defence sought leniency citing the convict’s young age, lack of prior criminal record, family dependency, and reformative justice, the prosecution argued for stringent punishment, emphasizing the deterrent intent of the POCSO Act and the lasting impact of such crimes on children.

While announcing the quantum, the court held that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating factors, warranting a sentence above the minimum but below the maximum.

The court also noted that the victim had already received Rs 2 lakh as interim compensation and ordered final compensation of Rs 5 lakh for rehabilitation. The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Srinagar, has been directed to process the release of compensation through the State Legal Services Authority, J&K.