Horrific Crime: 19-year-old gets life for killing, abusing boy in POCSO case

Hyderabad: A Special court dealing with POCSO cases has sentenced a 19-year-old man to life imprisonment for the brutal murder and sexual assault of a 12-year-old boy in 2018 under Langar House of Hyderabad commissionerate.

The convicted, identified as Shaik Taj alias Shaik Tajuddin from Langar House will serve life imprisonment. The case dates back to July 3, 2018, when the victim's father discovered his son's body under horrific circumstances. According to police, the victim’s absence was discovered when his father returned home and learned his son was missing. Going further into details, the victim, a Madrasa student from Qaderbagh, left home at around 8:30 AM for classes in MD Lines and didn’t return until late evening.

Subsequently, the complainant and his wife went to the Madarsa and contacted the in-charge, Maulvi, about their son. Maulvi informed them that their son did not attend the classes for two days. The father launched a desperate search for his son.The search ended tragically while returning home, when he reached a nearby flour mill where some persons gathered,knowing that a boy was found dead. He found his son lying dead with head injuries and a rubber pipe tied to his neck.

Accused threatened the victim to kill

The complainant was shocked to see his brutally murdered son, wearing only a kurta (top) and half-naked. His jeans were found beside the body. The complainant suspected his son was sexually assaulted and murdered. He lodged a police complaint. Further, the complainant suspected Taj (a friend of his son) because three days ago he threatened his son to kill. This information led to Taj's arrest by the Langar House police, who filed charges under Sections 302 (murder) and 377 (unnatural sex) of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

After examining all evidence and witnesses, the Special Court found Taj guilty on all charges. Besides the life sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000. In default of payment, Taj would serve an additional six months of simple imprisonment.