'Serial Rapist' Gets Life Sentence For Assaulting Minor Girl In UP

A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment in Bahraich for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl, officials reported.

The court imposed a fine of Rs 1.6 lakh on the convict, which will be given to the victim.

Bahraich (UP):

On Wednesday, a special court in Bahraich sentenced Avinash Pandey, alias 'Simple', to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl.

According to Special District Government Counsel (POCSO) Sant Pratap Singh, Pandey is a "serial rapist" who targeted girls between the ages of 5 and 7.

Special Additional Sessions Judge (POCSO) Deep Kant Mani delivered this judgment, which is one of four cases pending against Pandey.

Along with the life sentence, the court ordered the convict to pay Rs 1.6 lakh as compensation to the victim.

Singh reported that since June 25, Bahraich police had received multiple complaints from the Sujauli area about a man who was abducting minor girls in the early morning hours, between 3 AM and 4 AM, while they slept outside their homes during the hot summer months.

"The perpetrator would transport the children to nearby forest areas on his bicycle, show them inappropriate videos on his mobile phone, assault them, and then attempt to calm them by offering toffees, food items, or new clothing," Singh explained to PTI.

Police investigations determined that the accused deliberately targeted very young children, hoping they would be unable to report the incidents.

Based on victim statements, authorities tracked down the accused, who was an alcoholic and had a distinctive tattoo on his hand. In early July, police registered four FIRs under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the POCSO Act, and other legal provisions.

Avinash Pandey was taken into custody on July 6 for questioning, during which investigators discovered objectionable images of minors on his mobile phone.

Police also recovered victims' clothing, the bicycle used in the crimes, two mobile phones, and additional evidence.

Singh noted that this marks the first judgment in Bahraich under the new BNS provisions.