In a landmark verdict highlighting the swift wheels of justice, a special court in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Saturday handed down a rigorous imprisonment of 20 years to a man for the molestation of a six-year-old girl three years ago. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on the convict, with an additional three months’ incarceration if he fails to pay the penalty.
The incident, which sent shockwaves through the quiet locality of Madhya Nalakata, unfolded on April 9, 2022. The young victim, accompanied by her grandfather, was attending a religious gathering at a relative’s home when Samar Sabdakar, a 26-year-old member of a band performing at the event, lured her into a room and sexually assaulted her. Her screams for help alerted family members, who rushed to her rescue and apprehended Sabdakar as he attempted to flee the scene.
According to Sanjib Debroy, the public prosecutor, the Pecharthal Police Station’s investigating officer, Dipesh Chandra Nath, swiftly filed a charge sheet after a thorough investigation. The trial saw the deposition of 14 witnesses, and the prosecution successfully proved the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. Special Judge Amarendra Kumar Singh, after meticulously hearing the case, delivered the stringent sentence, underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to protecting vulnerable sections of society.