J&K court sentences ‘Pir Baba’ to 14 years for child sexual abuse

Kashmir: A court in Jammu and Kashmir has sentenced a man, known as ‘Pir Baba,’ to 14 years in prison for sexually abusing children.

In a 125-page verdict, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Mir Wajahat of Sopore court framed charges under Section 377 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The Indian Penal Code is not applicable in Jammu and Kashmir, where the Ranbir Penal Code, named after Maharaja Ranbir Singh, serves as the primary criminal law.

“The accused is convicted under Section 377 of the RPC for sexual abuse of children based on the evidence presented before the court,” CJM Mir Wajahat stated in his judgment, adding that the abuse had continued for many years.

The trial spanned nearly nine years. The court recorded the statements of eight witnesses, but the conviction was based on the testimony of only two. The police have been directed to provide legal aid to the remaining victims.

Meanwhile, the accused’s family has indicated plans to challenge the verdict in the high court.