Toddler raped, murdered, a POCSO court of India gives death sentence in record 29 days

A month after the rape and murder of a toddler in Ghaziabad, India, a special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) court on January 21, gave the death sentence to the accused on Wednesday, delivering the verdict in record time.

On October 19, the minor girl, who was 2.5 years old, was found at the roadside bushes of Kavi Nagar area in Ghaziabad. After the hearing began, the court took 29 days to deliver the death sentence.

The special POCSO court judge Mahendra Srivastava awarded the death penalty to Chandan, who was a close friend of the girl’s father. Ten witnesses were produced before the court before judgment was delivered.

The record time in which the verdict was delivered is a landmark achievement, said public prosecutor Utkarsh Vats said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar said the culprit was arrested soon after the crime and a charge sheet was filed on December 29.