Rajkot: A special Pocso court here on Tuesday sentenced a 45-year-old man to five years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl.Judge T S Brahmbhatt convicted Ramchandra alias Sokha Rambiroj Pasvan under Sections 7 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.The offence took place in 2023 and was reported at Aji Dam police station. Pasvan had lured the child into his house by offering a snack. Her mother later noticed injuries, after which the child told her that she had been sexually assaulted. She was subsequently taken to a govt hospital for treatment.The court, however, found that the more serious charge of penetrative sexual assault and rape had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. It concluded that the evidence established sexual contact with the child’s private parts with sexual intent, which falls within the definition of sexual assault under Section 7 of the Pocso Act.The court also directed that Rs 1 lakh be paid as compensation to the victim under the Gujarat Victim Compensation Scheme. The money is intended to support her rehabilitation.
