In a rare and strict judgment, a special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) court in Kolkata sentenced a 34-year-old man named Rajib Ghosh to the gallows for raping a 7-month-old infant. The court has classified the case as “rarest of rare”
The Crime and Legal Proceedings
The incident happened on November 30 of last year, and it rocked the community and led to prompt action by law enforcement. On December 5, the police arrested Rajib Ghosh following an inquiry. The trial started on January 7 and wrapped up in 40 days. State counsel urged the death penalty for Ghosh, pointing to the crime’s heinousness.
Judge Indrila Mukhopadhyay, while delivering the verdict, stated, “This is a rarest of rare cases…don’t imagine any other punishment”. The sentence was passed under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
Victim’s Condition and Legal Perspectives
The baby was also undergoing treatment at the ICU of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Doctors have told her medical professionals that she may never have a normal life, even when she recovers, because of the severity of her injuries.
Special public prosecutor Bivas Chatterjee argued for the death penalty and described the judgment as “historic” for the judicial system of Bengal. Chatterjee noted that the law does not mandate that the victim be dead for the death penalty to be pronounced, adding that even if the victim survives, the child will be tormented mentally for the rest of their life.
Evidence and Trial
During the trial, 24 witnesses were also examined, of whom eight were experts. The CFSL (central forensic science laboratory) is also contributable by the prosecution side. One of the most important pieces of evidence obtained from CCTV footage that sealed Ghosh’s fate was his gait pattern, which the analysis of, ultimately connected the dots and tied him to the crime.
Quick Justice
The sentencing came just 80 days after the crime, marking a rapid delivery of justice. The court also awarded ₹10 lakh as compensation to the child’s family. The ruling sends a strong message that such crimes are not tolerated by either the court or the community, and child protection, as well as harsh sentences for offenders, is the policy of the day.
