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Crime
Thane Court Sentences Man to 20 Years for Repeated Rape of Minor, Declares Consent Irrelevant
✍️ Amar Ujala · Maharashtra
🗓 29 Aug 2026, 11:02 PM
👁 18
A Thane court handed down a 20-year imprisonment to a man convicted of repeatedly raping a minor, emphasizing that the victim's consent holds no legal weight.
The Thane Sessions Court delivered a verdict on a case involving repeated sexual assault of a minor, imposing a 20-year rigorous imprisonment on the accused. The judgment, pronounced six years after the initial filing, underscored that consent from a child is legally immaterial under Indian law.
The court observed that the repeated nature of the offences demonstrated a clear intent to exploit the vulnerable victim, and therefore warranted a stringent punishment. The judge reiterated that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act categorically excludes any notion of consent when the victim is a minor.
Legal experts noted that the ruling reinforces the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding children and serves as a deterrent against future violations. The sentencing also aligns with recent efforts across Maharashtra to expedite and strengthen the handling of sexual crime cases involving minors.
The convicted individual, whose identity was not disclosed, will be remanded to custody pending the filing of an appeal, if any. The victim's family expressed relief at the court's firm stance, while advocacy groups welcomed the decision as a step forward in child protection.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing sexual offences against children, prompting calls for greater awareness, faster trial processes, and stricter enforcement of existing statutes.
The court observed that the repeated nature of the offences demonstrated a clear intent to exploit the vulnerable victim, and therefore warranted a stringent punishment. The judge reiterated that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act categorically excludes any notion of consent when the victim is a minor.
Legal experts noted that the ruling reinforces the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding children and serves as a deterrent against future violations. The sentencing also aligns with recent efforts across Maharashtra to expedite and strengthen the handling of sexual crime cases involving minors.
The convicted individual, whose identity was not disclosed, will be remanded to custody pending the filing of an appeal, if any. The victim's family expressed relief at the court's firm stance, while advocacy groups welcomed the decision as a step forward in child protection.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing sexual offences against children, prompting calls for greater awareness, faster trial processes, and stricter enforcement of existing statutes.