In a landmark judgment, a POCSO court in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, has sentenced a 21-year-old man to life imprisonment (until death) for the repeated rape and blackmail of his 17-year-old minor sister. The case has sent shockwaves across the state due to the gravity of the betrayal.

The Modus Operandi: The accused lived with his father in Prakasham district, while the victim lived with her mother in Krishna district. In 2023, while visiting his mother, the accused took objectionable photos of his sister and used them to blackmail her. Fearing social stigma, the girl remained silent as he continued to assault her over several months.

The Fake Marriage Deception: During Christmas 2024, the accused took the victim to Vijayawada under the pretext of visiting their father. At a local church, he tied a ‘Taveez’ (amulet) around her neck, staging a fake marriage, and then took her to Hyderabad for further exploitation. He eventually abandoned her at a bus stand in February. The truth came to light when the girl fell ill and medical tests revealed she was pregnant.

Justice Served: Based on the mother’s complaint, the police arrested the accused. Justice V. Bhavani of the Vijayawada POCSO court delivered the sensational verdict, ensuring the accused stays in prison for the remainder of his life. The court also slapped a fine of ₹6,000 and directed the state government to provide ₹5 lakh as financial compensation to the victim.