Agartala, Tripura, Nov 5 (HBTV): A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in North Tripura district on Tuesday convicted two brothers on charges of raping a minor girl on multiple occasions. The two were sentenced to 20 years in jail under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act, Public Prosecutor Sudarshan Sharma said.

According to Sharma, the incident came to light when the minor girl became pregnant and gave birth to a baby.   

‘The First Information Report of the incident was registered on February 12, 2022 with the Dharmanagar women’s police station. However, the incident occurred in February, 2021. The minor girl, on her way home from school, entered the house of the accused persons and asked for water. She was familiar with the family and used to share good rapport with the mother of the accused persons,’ the prosecutor said.   

‘On the fateful day, the elderly lady was absent from home. Taking advantage of the situation, prime accused Prasanta Debnath forcefully took her to his room and raped her. His younger brother Pappu Debnath secretly witnessed the whole incident and later resorted to blackmailing her,’ Sharma said.

Fearing social humiliation, the victim followed the instructions of the siblings.   

‘She was then raped on multiple occasions over a period of one year by both the brothers. Her family could realise her ordeal she had endured only after she became pregnant.’      

A police complaint was filed on February 12, 2022. Investigating officer, Usha Rani Debnath filed the charge-sheet within a period of two months and the trial began.   

The special POCSO court examined the testimonies of 23 witnessed before pronouncing them guilty, the updates stated.