Mumbai court sentences transgender to 20 years for sexual assault of minor

Mumbai: Observing that one cannot imagine the trauma and humiliation suffered by the 14-year-old boy and his family due to the shameful acts committed by the accused, a special POCSO court recently convicted and sentenced a 26-year-old transgender individual to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for repeatedly sexually assaulting the minor, who was his neighbour. Finding the accused guilty, the judge said that the boy had no reason to implicate the accused, and no prudent family would put the reputation of their child and family at stake by filing such a case. “Therefore, the claim of false implication as claimed by the accused is totally ruled out. The testimony of the child, his mother, and the daughter of his paternal aunt are consistent and reliable, which inspires confidence,” the judge said.

According to the prosecution, on Nov 19, 2021, while the minor’s mother was out, the accused lured him into his home, threatened him, and sexually assaulted him. The accused forced the minor to perform oral sex and anal intercourse. The child endured similar assaults on multiple occasions, including Dec 4, 5, and 7, 2021, when his mother was absent.

On Dec 4, 2021, the minor visited his aunt’s house. His cousin inquired about his infrequent visits. He then disclosed the sexual abuse that he endured. The cousin informed the boy’s mother, who arrived at their home. The boy further claimed that the accused sexually assaulted him again on Dec 5 and 7, 2021. In a statement recorded by the authorities, the child reaffirmed that the accused sexually assaulted him 5-6 times since Nov 19, 2021.

The child, his mother, aunt, and cousin were among the prosecution witnesses. In addition to the witness statements, relying on the medical evidence, the judge said, “The medical evidence has duly corroborated the accusations made against the accused….the only conclusion is that the accused committed the offence of anal penetrative sexual assault on the minor.”

Courtesy : TOI

Note: This news is originally published in timesofindia.com and was used solely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes exclusively for Human Rights