Thane: A special Pocso court in Thane on Thursday sentenced a 35-year-old security guard to five years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl inside the elevator of a housing society in June this year.According to the prosecution, the child was playing within the premises of the housing society. During intermittent power outages, she sought help to return home. Although she declined help from the guard, he entered the elevator, kissed her on the cheek and pulled it. The child immediately informed her mother, following which an FIR was lodged at Kapurbawadi police station.The defence said the accused’s actions were merely an expression of casual affection and familiarity with children. Special judge G T Pawar rejected this and held that the conduct of an unrelated adult towards an eight-year-old child inside a private elevator attracted provisions of Pocso Act.During the trial, the prosecution examined five witnesses—the child, her mother, another watchman, the society manager and the investigating officer. CCTV footage from the society was also produced as evidence.The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the guard, which is to be paid to the girl as compensation.
