Sri Vijaya Puram, July 14: A Special POCSO Court has convicted a Little Andaman resident in a 2012 child sexual abuse case involving his 13-year-old stepdaughter, bringing a trial that continued for nearly 14 years to a close. The court sentenced the accused, Paritosh Sarkar, to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and directed that the survivor be paid ₹6 lakh as compensation towards her rehabilitation, education and future maintenance.
The case was registered at Hut Bay Police Station on November 4, 2012, under Sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code after the minor accused her stepfather of repeated sexual abuse and criminal intimidation. Although the case predated the implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the Islands, it was subsequently tried before the Special POCSO Court designated to hear cases involving offences against children.
According to the prosecution, the case came to light on November 4, 2012, when the survivor raised an alarm after the accused allegedly attempted to assault her inside their residence. Local residents responded to her cries for help, intervened and informed the police, leading to the registration of the case.
The prosecution further alleged that the accused had sexually assaulted the minor three days earlier, on November 1, 2012, at a fishing spot near a nallah in Hut Bay. It was also alleged that he threatened the survivor with dire consequences to prevent her from disclosing the incidents, resulting in the addition of charges of criminal intimidation.
Following the complaint, police conducted a medical examination of the survivor, recorded statements of witnesses, collected material evidence and completed the investigation. A chargesheet was filed before the court on January 31, 2013, following which the case was committed to the Special Court for trial.
During the trial, the prosecution examined 14 witnesses and relied on documentary and medical evidence to establish the charges against the accused. The court heard arguments from both the prosecution and the defence before reserving its judgment.
In its judgment delivered on July 9, 2026, Special Judge (POCSO) Umesh Singh Sharma held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on the basis of the evidence placed before the court. The judge found Paritosh Sarkar guilty of the offences punishable under Sections 376(1) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.
For the offence under Section 376(1) IPC, the court sentenced the accused to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹50,000. In default of payment of the fine, he will undergo an additional one year of rigorous imprisonment.
For the offence under Section 506 IPC, the court awarded two years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹10,000. In default of payment of the fine, he will undergo an additional three months of rigorous imprisonment. The sentences will run in accordance with the directions contained in the judgment.
In addition to the sentence, the court directed that the survivor be provided compensation of ₹6 lakh to support her rehabilitation, education and future maintenance. The compensation has been awarded in recognition of the long-term impact of the offence and to assist the survivor in rebuilding her life.
While delivering the judgment, the court observed that offences against children are grave crimes that require stringent punishment, not only to ensure justice for survivors but also to serve as a deterrent against similar offences. The court emphasised the need for a victim-centric approach in such cases while ensuring that the rights of the accused are protected through due process of law.
The verdict brings to a close one of the oldest pending child sexual abuse cases from Little Andaman, concluding legal proceedings that remained under trial for more than a decade after the case was first registered in 2012.
