Gandarbal, February 9: In a significant development, police in Jammu and Kashmir‘s Gandarbal district have successfully secured a conviction in a case involving the rape of a minor. A special court sentenced the accused to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment under the POCSO Act, along with a fine of ₹50,000.
The verdict was delivered by the Principal Sessions Judge of Gandarbal on Monday, following the completion of the trial. The accused has been identified as Rauf Ahmed Ganai, son of Bashir Ahmed Ganai, a resident of Takiya Khalmulla Nagbal, Gandarbal. The court found him guilty under Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, resulting in a two-decade prison term and a hefty fine.
This ruling reflects the strong and effective evidence presented by the prosecution. The role of the prosecution department was crucial in this case. Public Prosecutor Shafat Ahmed Bhat led the prosecution, while Jahangir Rafiki provided effective representation in court.
The investigation was conducted by Sub-Inspector Mohammad Akbar, whose professional and diligent work played a vital role in bringing the accused to justice.
Gandarbal police hailed the court’s decision as a significant achievement, reaffirming their commitment to protecting vulnerable and sensitive sections of society, particularly children. They emphasized that efforts to ensure the harshest penalties for those involved in such heinous crimes will continue.
In a post on the social media platform X, Gandarbal police stated, “The Jammu and Kashmir police have secured a 20-year prison sentence for an accused involved in a serious crime under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.”
