Akhter Ahmed, the victim’s uncle and the accused, was awarded five years of jail term.

The survivor was given paper and crayons to while away time during the proceedings amidst which she began sketching an abandoned house, a girl holding balloons and a dress lying beside her. Also, the sketches bore “gloomy” colours. 

According to TOI, Vinod Yadav, the sessions judge regarded the sketches as the victim’s impression of her ordeal. 

“If the elements of this drawing are considered in the background of facts and circumstances of this case, then commission of sexual assault upon her by somebody in her house after undressing her, and it leaving an impression upon her mind, becomes evident,” he said, the TOI reported. 

“Therefore, I find the child victim to be a competent witness,” he added. 

What’s the case?

The victim, who hails from Kolkata, was abandoned by her alcoholic father post the death of her mother, after which she found shelter at her aunt’s place in Delhi. However, the ‘safe haven’ turned out to be traumatizing for the child as she fell victim to her uncle’s misdeeds. 

Akhter Ahmed allegedly sexually abused the child several times before she fled.  

She was later discovered on a bus in November 2014 and was counselled by the members of HAQ Centre for Child Rights. Ahmed was later traced on June 4, 2016 and was subsequently arrested. His lawyer, however argued that the girl had been tutored to accuse Ahmed of rape and he was indeed guilty as she cannot be considered a ‘competent witness’. 

Medical examination of the child indicated a possible sexual assault after which the court held that since the abuse was not penetrative, Ahmed would be sentenced to only five years with a fine of Rs 10,000. The court also ordered a compensation of Rs 3 lakh for the girl’s rehabilitation. 

(Feature image source: Reuters)