A Delhi court sentenced 25 years rigorous imprisonment to a rape accused despite the minor changing her statement. Additional Sessions Judge Babita Puniya convicted and sentenced the accused Mohsin Khan, who raped his 13-year-old cousin sister during the period when she had been staying at his house.
In addition to imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on the accused and directed him to pay ₹14.50 lakh in compensation to the victim.
According to reports, the incident occurred in the Nihal Vihar police station area. The criminal acts of the accused came to light after the victim was admitted to the Guru Gobind Singh hospital in October 2024, where, on medical examination, she was found to be 2 and a half months pregnant. After a preliminary investigation, the police found out that Mohsin Khan had raped the victim on multiple occasions during her stay in his house. A case was registered against Khan under the provisions of the POCSO Act and Sections 64 and 65 of the BNS.
The DNA report revealed that Mohsin Khan raped the minor
The DNAs of the foetus and the accused matched, proving that he was the biological father of the foetus. Subsequently, the pregnancy was aborted through a legally approved medical procedure. In December 2024, the police filed a chargesheet against the accused. However, during the trial of the case, the victim changed her statement and said that she wrongly accused Mohsin Khan of raping her due to fear and that he did not commit the act. She also urged the court to acquit him, claiming that he was not guilty. The victim’s mother also absolved Khan of his crime and said that she did not want to continue with the trial of the case.
The court refused to trust the changed statement of the victim
The court, however, refused to consider the changed testimony of the victim and her mother. Citing the DNA report and other evidence, the court said the evidence clearly establishes the accused’s guilt. The court observed that the accused not only committed a heinous crime but also breached the victim’s trust. Declining the request of the victim and her mother, the court held Mohsin Khan guilty of raping the victim and sentenced him in accordance with the law.
