New Delhi: Children are an important asset and the future well being of a nation depends on how they develop, a Delhi court has said while sentencing a 20-year-old youth to five years in jail for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a six-year-old boy.
"The concept of welfare and well-being of children is basic for any civilised society and this has a direct bearing on the state of health and well being of the entire community, its growth and development.
"Children are a supremely important national asset and the future well being of the nation depends on how its children grow and develop," Additional Sessions Judge Gautam Manan said.
The court also awarded compensation of Rs 50,000 to the parents of the victim and directed Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA), north district, to provide the amount to them.
The court, while sentencing the youth Ram Avatar Giri, also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on him for the offences under sections 363(kidnap) and section 10(aggravated sexual assault) of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
It relied on the testimony of the child, saying it was "reassuring" and "consistent". "It would be seen that the court has over the years attributed to the testimony of child witnesses the same kind of credibility that it attached to the statement of any other witness if the testimony is consistent.
"In the present case the victim has been consistent on the material particulars with regard to the incident of sexual assault on him," it said.
The court also relied on the medical report of the victim which proved the assault on him. "The allegations also found corroboration from the deposition of the complainant (victim's uncle) and the medical evidence," it said.
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