Pune: 42-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 20 Years Rigorous Imprisonment in 2018 POCSO Case
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Hadapsar, 6th May 2026: A District and Sessions Court in Shivajinagar, Pune, has sentenced a 42-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the rape of his minor daughter in 2018. The verdict was pronounced on Wednesday, May 6.
The accused was found guilty under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In addition to the jail term, the court has imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on him. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional one-year rigorous imprisonment.
The case dates back to 2018, when the accused sexually assaulted the minor victim within the jurisdiction of the Hadapsar Police Station. Following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR No. 576/2018) under IPC sections 376, 376(2)(f), and 376(3), alongside multiple sections of the POCSO Act.
The investigation was spearheaded by Assistant Police Inspector (API) Kalyani Shinde, who was then stationed at Hadapsar (currently serving in Sangli Rural). API Shinde gathered compelling physical and documentary evidence against the accused and filed a comprehensive charge sheet before the special court. The trial (Special Case No. 340/2018) was conducted in the court of Judge D. P. Ragit.
During the trial, Public Prosecutor Leena Pathak represented the State. Crucial groundwork for the conviction was laid by Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Mogale and Police Constable Sambhaji Mhangare. Constable Mhangare handled the court pairavi (follow-up), ensuring all evidence was systematically presented to the court on time, while Senior PI Mogale skillfully prepared and briefed the witnesses and the complainant.
Following the conviction, top police officials—including Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjankumar Sharma, Additional CP (East Region) Manoj Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 6) Sagar Kavade, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Hadapsar Division) Atulkumar Navgire—lauded the investigative team and court officials for their meticulous execution and dedication to securing justice for the victim.
