A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment by a local court for allegedly raping his daughter, even as the victim, her mother and other witnesses turned hostile during the trial.
The 14-year-old victim had become pregnant and later delivered a child.
District Judge-I and Additional Sessions Judge K G Rathi yesterday pronounced the accused guilty, solely on the basis of a DNA test which confirmed his role in the crime.
The convict, a security guard residing at a slum in north city area, was sentenced to 10-year rigorous imprisonment by the court which also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him.
During the case trial, the survivor, her complainant mother and all witnesses changed their statements.
Additional Public Prosecutor Jyoti Vajani strongly argued that if such persons of "extremely depraved mentality" were released free it would send a wrong message in society.
The prosecution said that the accused was employed as as security guard of a house, whose owners lived in Nanded. He used to take his 14-year-old daughter to the house on the pretext of cleaning it. She also used to bring food for him from home.
However, he repeatedly raped her in the desolated house and threatened her not to reveal anything about his acts. This continued for about four months, until the the minor started showing a swollen abdomen.
When her mother took her to the doctor, it came to fore that she was four months' pregnant. The minor then revealed her ordeal, the prosecution said.
The mother lodged a complaint with Jaripatka police station on August 28, 2014.
Accordingly, the police booked the victim's father under Section 376 (rape) of IPC and Section 5J (II) of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act-2012.
The accused was taken into custody two days later.
His enraged neighbours even thrashed him before he was handed over to the police.
The victim was later allegedly coaxed by her mother, brother and neighbours to withdraw the charges. She also refused to undergo medical examination.
However, the judge yesterday found the accused guilty and pronounced the sentence.
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