Budgam Court Awards 20-Year Rigorous Imprisonment in Child Sexual Assault Case – Alfaaz – The Words

Srinagar: A Budgam court on Monday sentenced a man to twenty years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

According to a media statement, the Budgam Police successfully secured the conviction of Zahid Ahmad Parra, son of Mushtaq Ahmad Parra, a resident of Chrar-i-Sharief and by profession a Sumo driver. “The case was registered under FIR No. 55/2023 at Police Station Chrar-i-Sharief for offences punishable under Sections 363 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 of the POCSO Act.”

After a detailed hearing on the quantum of punishment, the Principal Sessions Judge, Budgam, pronounced the sentence, awarding five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000 under Section 363 IPC, twenty years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000 under Section 376 IPC, and another twenty years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000 under Section 4 of the POCSO Act. In the event of default in payment of fines, the convict shall undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.

Budgam Police reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice for victims of sexual offences and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women and children, emphasizing that such verdicts strengthen public trust in the justice delivery system.