UP 'serial rapist' convicted, sentenced to life within 20 working days of chargesheet

Bahraich (UP), Sep 24 (PTI) In a swift trial, a special court in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich on Wednesday sentenced a 32-year-old man to life imprisonment for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl, just 20 working days after the chargesheet was filed, police said.

Special District Government Counsel (POCSO) Sant Pratap Singh said the convict, identified as Avinash Pandey alias 'Simple', had been targeting girls aged between 5 and 7 years and is a "serial rapist".

Special Additional Sessions Judge (POCSO) Deep Kant Mani delivered the judgment in one of the four cases against Pandey and imposed a fine of Rs 1.6 lakh, which will be handed over to the victim.

According to Singh, since June 25, Bahraich police had been receiving complaints from Sujauli area about a man abducting minor girls between 3 am and 4 am while they were asleep outside their homes during peak summer.

He would take the children to the nearby forest on a bicycle, show them obscene videos on his phone, assault them, and then try to placate them with toffees, food items or new clothes, Singh told PTI.

Police investigations revealed that the accused deliberately preyed on very young children so that they would not be able to reveal the incident.

Based on statements from the victims, police tracked down the accused, who was addicted to alcohol and had a tattoo on his hand. In early July, police registered four FIRs under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the POCSO Act and other provisions.

On July 6, Avinash Pandey was taken into custody on suspicion and questioned. Objectionable images of minors were found on his phone.

Police also recovered the clothes of the victims, his bicycle, two mobile phones and other evidences.

In a statement issued later, UP Police said the case was cracked within three days of forming a special team led by Mihipurwa Circle Officer Harshita Tiwari, who personally spoke to the victims and prepared a sketch of the suspect based on their descriptions. Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested Pandey near a canal embankment in the Bajpur Bankati village and during interrogation, he allegedly admitted to sexually assaulting four minor girls.

His phone contained obscene photos and videos of the victims, which he had recorded himself.

The police said the chargesheet was filed on August 9 and a request for fast-track trial was made to ensure quick conviction. The court framed charges on August 22 and pronounced the sentence within 20 working days.

UP Police also announced commendations and cash rewards for the investigating team, while the state DGP Rajeev Krishna praised Bahraich police and the prosecution team for their swift and effective action. PTI COR ABN KIS RT MNK MNK