Summary: In a shocking case from Delhi, Mantram @ Mantra @ Sonu was initially sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and attacking a minor. On appeal, the court reduced the sentence to 10 years, citing reasons that lessened the severity of his punishment.
On 13th March 2017, a six-year-old girl was playing in a park near her home in Govind Puri, Delhi, when she was taken by an unknown man. The man, later identified as Mantram @ Mantra @ Sonu, took her to a secluded place and attacked her. She was found bleeding and needed immediate medical help, including surgery for serious injuries.
On 21st March 2025, the Saket Court in Delhi found Mantram @ Mantra @ Sonu guilty under several laws, including the POCSO Act, for serious sexual assault. He was sentenced to life in prison, with the court emphasizing the seriousness of the crime and the trauma inflicted on the young victim.
"The victim was just about 6 years old at the time of the crime... she had to undergo surgery meant for children," noted Judge Madhu Jain.
Mantram @ Mantra @ Sonu's appeal was heard on 20th January 2026, with the decision given on 4th February 2026. His defense argued that there were mistakes in how he was identified and that there was no solid DNA proof connecting him to the crime.
Judges Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain acknowledged these arguments but still found him guilty. However, they considered Mantram @ Mantra @ Sonu's age, time already spent in jail, and family situation in reducing the sentence.
"Considering the age of the person appealing and his behavior while in jail, the sentence of life imprisonment is reduced to 10 years," stated the decision.
The case heavily relied on the victim's testimony and CCTV footage, which showed Mantram @ Mantra @ Sonu with the child. Despite claims that the footage was unclear, the court found the overall evidence enough.
"The victim identified the accused in court... she hid her face in fear upon seeing him," the court noted.
The court ordered Mantram @ Mantra @ Sonu to pay ₹2,00,000 to the victim, with additional compensation under the Delhi Victim Compensation Scheme, totaling ₹12,00,000, to help with her recovery and future.
The court decided to reduce Mantram @ Mantra @ Sonu's life sentence to 10 years, taking into account his age, behavior in custody, and family situation, while still holding him accountable for the crime.
