A North 24 Parganas district POCSO court on Monday sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the gang rape of a minor girl in Kolkata’s adjoining New Town’s Ecopark area.
The convicts, Rakibuddin Mondal, Jamirul Ali and Shahjahan Ali, were also fined ₹50,000 each by the court. The verdict was delivered by Judge Sushmita Mukherjee, two days after the trio was found guilty.
The incident occurred on July 18, 2022. According to police, the minor victim was playing mobile games with a friend in front of a factory under the Ecopark police station area. “Two men approached them, falsely identifying themselves as police officers. Luring the children to a secluded location, they assaulted the girl and called a third person to join them. The three then gang-raped the minor while her friend was forced to watc,” said an investigator who probed into the heinous crime..
The two children later managed to escape with the help of a local resident and informed their families. A complaint was lodged the same day at the Ecopark police station against three unidentified individuals. The police swiftly launched an investigation and arrested the accused.
The case was tried in the Barasat POCSO court over a period of 2 years and 8 months. Based on witness testimonies and other evidence, the court found the accused guilty and delivered the sentencing on Monday.
Public Prosecutor Souvik Basu Thakur said, "All three were charged and convicted under gang rape charges. The judge’s verdict came after more than two and a half years of trial. The fine will be handed over to the victim."
He further added that the victim's family is relieved and satisfied with the outcome, as justice has been served within a relatively short time frame.
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