A man sentenced to 14 years for sexually abusing a child
A sessions court has found Ashook guilty of sexually abusing a minor girl and taking her inappropriate photographs. The additional District and Sessions Judge (South), Abdul Zahoor Chandio, under the Pakistan Penal Code’s Section 377-B (sexual abuse punishment) sentenced him to 14 years in prison.
“There is no evidence of previous enmity or ill-will between the complainant and the accused,” observed the court. “The defence failed to confront the complainant with any plausible motive for falsely implicating the accused.” The court noted that the convict’s ocular evidence was natural, coherent, and reliable.
According to state prosecutor Irfana Qadri:
The minor survivor used to visit her neighbour’s house while her mother worked. Ashook’s daughter-in-law found inappropriate photographs of the girl on his phone. The child disclosed that Ashook lured her with candies before taking her photos.
“In sexual abuse cases, a victim’s testimony is significant for conviction,” the court stated. The prosecution presented 11 witnesses and cited medical evidence to distinguish this from rape but asserted it as an act of sexual abuse. The defence counsel argued Ashook’s innocence due to delayed filing of the FIR, suggesting personal enmity was a factor in his implication. However, the court rejected this argument.
*Published in Dawn on December 2nd, 2inasia.
