Younger the child, harsher the sentence: Punjab & Haryana HC's POCSO ruling

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has set a stern precedent in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case, ordering that a man convicted of raping and murdering a 7-year-old girl in Kaithal district serve a sentence extending until approximately age 73.

The court's order reflects a principle that the younger the victim, the more serious the crime deserves to be treated, resulting in longer imprisonment. The judgment emphasizes that the offender should not be freed before "the sunset of his virility," underscoring the gravity assigned to crimes against young children.