In a shocking case, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court confirmed a 20-year prison sentence for a father, Nalin @ Narendra Nitnaware, for sexually assaulting his young daughter. The decision, given by Judge Nivedita P. Mehta, highlights the serious betrayal of trust and the punishment that followed.
Nalin @ Narendra Nitnaware, a 54-year-old laborer, was found guilty of several crimes under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The charges included:
The victim, a minor, was repeatedly sexually assaulted by her father since she was in the 8th grade. Despite her attempts to resist and her requests to be sent to her aunt’s house, she was forced to endure the abuse. The situation escalated on January 2, 2019, when Nalin @ Narendra Nitnaware hit her with a belt, leading neighbors to call the police.
"The appellant sexually exploited the victim repeatedly since she was in the 8th standard, by forcibly establishing sexual relations under threats and physical assault."
The police investigation, led by PSI Deshmukh and later PSI Bhagyashree Puri, involved medical checks and DNA analysis. The evidence included:
During the trial, the prosecution presented nine witnesses, including the victim, her brother, and medical experts. The victim's statement was crucial, even though she was initially hesitant to accuse her father.
"The testimony of the victim was held to be trustworthy and was corroborated by medical evidence."
The defense claimed that the victim accused Nalin @ Narendra Nitnaware falsely because of a romantic relationship with someone else. However, the court found no proof for this claim. The appeal was dismissed, with the court emphasizing the reliability of the victim's statement.
Judge Mehta stressed the seriousness of the crime, highlighting the misuse of fatherly trust and the impact on the victim. The judgment serves as a strong warning against such terrible acts.
"The crime involved gross abuse of paternal trust, systematic exploitation, and devastating harm to a minor girl."
In conclusion, the court upheld the 20-year sentence for Nalin @ Narendra Nitnaware, underlining the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring justice for serious offenses.
