Man gets 7-year RI for rape

Special Judge, Chamba, Padam Singh has convicted accused Des Raj, a resident of village Kathla falling in Churah tehsil of Chamba district, for offences under sections 376 (rape), 342 (unlawful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).

The Judge also imposed a fine of Rs.5000, two years RI and a fine of Rs.2000 under section 506 of IPC and one year RI with a fine of Rs.1000 under section 342 of IPC.

All the imprisonments would run concurrently.

In default of payment of fine, the convict shall undergo further rigorous imprisonment for six months.

Giving the details of the case, District Attorney S S Pathania said that on March 23 this year, when the victim, along with her younger brother, had gone to Shakti Nalla gharat for grinding wheat flour, Des raj, who was also present there, gave money to the younger brother to bring sweets.

When the brother went away, Des Raj shut the door of the flour mill by placing a big stone behind the door and raped the victim.

The convict threatened the victim with dire consequences if she opened narrated the incident. But on returning, she narrated the entire incident to her parents who reported the matter to the police.