Minor's testimony results in 3-year jail for culprit in Pocso case

HYDERABAD: A minor girl's determination to bring her perpetrator to justice resulted in a 41-year-old man being sentenced to three years in jail under the Pocso Act in Medak district.

The incident happened in June 2019 when the girl was six years old. The perpetrator, Koneti Raju, had called her to his room promising to give her a chocolate. But when he undressed and came towards her, the girl thought he was trying to scare her and began to scream. Hearing her cries, her family members and neighbours rushed in and caught the naked man before he could assault her. He was later handed over to police. Over time, the girl came to understand the crime committed by the 'uncle'.

During the trial which began six years later in 2025 due to the girl's age, it was ensured that the atmosphere in the court was conducive for her to talk about the crime, said Sweta Chowdhary, legal advisor at the Bharosa Centre, Medak. The testimony of the girl, now 12, was taken on Jan 3. As per rules for Pocso cases, the culprit was not present in the court and no one else was allowed into the courtroom. Only the judge, girl, public prosecutor and defence lawyer were present.

"The child was made to feel comfortable and was given all the liberty to take her time and explain .," Chowdhary told TOI on Friday.Medak SP DV Srinivas Rao and additional SP S Mahendar appreciated the work done by Chowdhary and Bharosa team. The culprit, who was sentenced on June 18, was also fined 1,000.(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)