Man awarded three yrs' RI for molesting 13-yr-old girl

THANE: The Thane sessions court convicted a 33-year-old man for molesting his 13-year-old neighbour in 2018, and sentenced him to three years' rigorous imprisonment.
In her order, special judge V V Virkar for Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act also imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 on the accused who was found guilty under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as the POCSO Act.
In her submission, prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale told the court: "The accused used to stalk the victim and pester her to marry him...Due to the harassment, her parents sent her to their hometown in Uttar Pradesh in January 2018." After the girl returned in May, he continued to stalk her and harass her. Fearing his harassment, the girl even stopped going to school, Hiwrale said.
Following a complaint by the minor's mother, police arrested the accused. Eight witnesses, including the girl and her mother, were examined in court.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)