Uttar Pradesh Court Awards Death Penalty to Man Who Lured 7-Year-Old with Toffee Before Brutal Rape and Murder

SITAPUR: A special POCSO court in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday sentenced Neelu to death for the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in January 2019.

The heinous crime occurred on January 13, 2019, in the Imalia Sultanpur police station area when Neelu, who was related to the victim, lured the child to a shop on the pretext of buying her toffee.

When the girl failed to return home, her family and neighbours launched a search operation and eventually discovered her body in the Pirai River. The victim's shoes were recovered from Neelu's residence, and the post-mortem examination confirmed rape and murder.

Judge Bhagirath Varma of the special POCSO court described the case as "rarest of rare" while pronouncing the death sentence. "Such brutality shames humanity," the judge observed, adding that those who commit such acts "have no right to live."

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1,30,000 on the convict, who had remained in custody throughout the six-year trial period following his immediate arrest.

The family and local organisations have welcomed the verdict as a strong deterrent against crimes targeting children. This marks only the second death sentence issued in Sitapur district for such an offence.

The incident had sparked widespread outrage in the area, highlighting the judicial system's resolve against crimes involving minors.