Shimla: Man gets 12 years in jail for raping stepdaughter

A local court in Shimla on Thursday sentenced 55-year-old man to 12-year imprisonment for raping his stepdaughter. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000. The orders were passed by special judge LD Sharma.

Balwant Singh married the victim’s mother after her husband died a few years back and the three were living together. The 12-year-old alleged that Singh sexually assaulted her for the first time on July 7, 2015 when her pregnant mother was hospitalised for her delivery. In her complaint, the girl alleged that Singh threatened her of dire consequences, following which she did not share what happened with anyone.

The girl further said that Singh then again sexually abused her on the intervening night on July 14 and 15 July, 2015. The 12-year-old then confided to her aunt on July 17 who then went to the police. Subsequently, a case was registered under Section 376 of Indian Penal Code, relevant sections of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 4,5 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

After investigation was completed, the police put up a challan in a special court.