In a landmark judgment reinforcing the protection of children from sexual and gender-based violence, the Court of the Principal Sessions Judge Shopian, Mehmood Ahmad Chowdhary, today convicted two individuals in a sensitive case involving the kidnapping and sexual assault of a minor girl.

After a full trial, the Court found Yawar Ahmad Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, resident of Khawajapora, guilty of offences under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, sentencing him to ten years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 30,000.

The co-accused, Mehraj Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Ghafar Dar, also of Khawajapora, was convicted under Section 363 IPC and Section 17 of the POCSO Act for abetment and sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 15,000.

The case, registered in December 2022 at Police Station Zainapora, pertained to the abduction of a 17-year-old girl. Following a thorough investigation and prosecution of evidence, the Court held that both accused had forcibly taken the minor from her lawful guardianship, and the main accused had subjected her to sexual assault.

Delivering the verdict, the Court observed that the prosecution had proved the offences beyond reasonable doubt, underscoring that crimes against minors warrant the strictest possible response under law.

This judgment stands as a strong reaffirmation of the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring that perpetrators of sexual offences face swift and decisive justice.