Why Did a West Bengal Man Receive a 7-Year Sentence for Rapting His Minor Daughter?

Synopsis
A shocking case from West Bengal highlights the ongoing issue of sexual violence against minors. A father has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the heinous crime of raping his own daughter, prompting widespread concern and debate about safety for children in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Seven-year prison sentence for the convict.
- Financial penalty of Rs 1,00,000 imposed.
- Government compensation of Rs 2,00,000 for the victim.
- Convict is Bablu Sheikh, arrested in 2017.
- Trial involved 12 witness statements.
Kolkata, June 6 (NationPress) A specialized court located in Jangipur, within the Murshidabad district of West Bengal, has recently handed down a seven-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) sentence to a man convicted of sexually assaulting his own minor daughter.
In addition to the prison term, the court has levied a financial fine of Rs 1,00,000 against the offender. Failure to pay this penalty will result in an extension of his prison term by an additional year.
Furthermore, the presiding judge has mandated that the West Bengal government provide compensation of Rs 2,00,000 to the victim.
The convict, identified as Bablu Sheikh, was arrested back in 2017 after his wife, Sajera Biwi, lodged complaints against him for assaulting their daughter, who was only 15 years old at the time.
Sajera Biwi alleged that her husband repeatedly raped their minor daughter, leading to serious health complications for the girl. The complaint was filed on June 14, 2017, and Bablu Sheikh was taken into custody on the same day.
The trial dragged on for several years, during which the testimonies of 12 witnesses were recorded. The public prosecutors advocated for a life sentence for the perpetrator. Nevertheless, the judge ultimately sentenced him to seven years behind bars.
During the trial, Sajera Biwi became a hostile witness and attempted to alter her original statement to protect her husband. In contrast, the victim remained steadfast in her accusations against her father throughout the proceedings.
Recently, West Bengal has drawn national attention due to a troubling increase in cases of rape and murder, often involving minors. One particularly notorious incident was the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital last August.