Pune: In a case of sexual assault involving a 7-year-old girl, a 70-year-old retired government employee was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by the court of Special Judge K.P. Kshirsagar in Pune.

The incident, which took place in 2019, shocked the local community and brought attention to crimes against children. The convict, Ashok Gunjabaji Dongore, a resident of Dhanori, was also fined ₹10,000 as part of the sentencing.

The crime occurred on October 31, 2019, when the young girl was playing in a park with her grandfather in Vishrantwadi. Dongore, who frequently visited the park with his dog, lured the girl to a nearby construction site under the pretense of play.

Once there, he sexually assaulted her. After returning home, the girl informed her mother of the incident, leading to a complaint being filed with the police. Following the complaint, Dongore was arrested, and a charge sheet was filed.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Nitin Konghe, presented ten witnesses, including the victim and a medical officer.

The girl's testimony was a key element of the case, and she was able to identify the accused during the court proceedings via video conferencing, referring to him as "the dog uncle." Her testimony, along with forensic and medical evidence, played a decisive role in securing the conviction.

The court observed that Dongore’s actions were driven by his intent to satisfy his sexual desires, resulting in severe trauma for the young girl.

Despite his advanced age, the court ruled out any possibility of reform, stating that the gravity of the crime warranted a severe punishment. Special Judge K.P. Kshirsagar emphasized that leniency should not be shown in such cases, especially when the crime involves a child.

In its ruling, the court highlighted that there was no motive for the victim's family to falsely implicate the accused. All the evidence and witness testimonies were found to be credible and consistent.

The court also praised the victim’s ability to provide logical and coherent answers during her testimony, further corroborating her account of the assault.

In addition to sentencing Dongore, the court directed the Pune District Legal Services Authority to ensure that the victim receives compensation under the Indian Civil Security Code for the trauma she has endured.