Chandigarh: Driver sentenced to 3 years in prison for sexual abuse of minors

The court also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 for convict Abdul Samad, 43, of village Kajheri, Sector 52.

The victim was a third-grade student at a public school at the time. The accused was hired to pick up and drop off her and her younger sister, who was in first-grade at the same school.

On the day of the incident, the defendant brought her home more than half an hour late.

When persuaded, the victim told her mother that the defendant lured her by offering to take her to a park with swings and buy her chips. She accused him of lifting her skirt, touching her inappropriately and kissing her on the lips.

After the incident, the defendant also gave the child ₹20, not to tell her mother about the incident.

After the child confided in her mother, the police were informed. A case was subsequently registered at Sector 36 police station under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 376-AB (rape of a woman below 12 years of age) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 6 (aggravated sexual abuse by penetration) and 8 (sexual abuse) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Though sections of rape were added in the FIR, the accused was convicted only under Section 8 of the POCSO.