A special court for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (PoCSO) Act cases has sentenced a 45-year-old man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping his 12-year-old relative in Hyderabad.The Special Sessions Judge for PoCSO Act cases at HACA Bhavan convicted the accused, a helper at a petrol pump and a resident of Film Nagar, Banjara Hills, in connection with a case registered at the Banjara Hills police station. The court also imposed a fine of ₹10,000.According to the police, the case came to light after the girl’s mother lodged a complaint on May 22, 2019. Owing to the cramped conditions at their home, the victim and her siblings used to sleep at the house of the accused, who was her uncle.Police said the girl started vomiting on May 15 and complained of stomach pain the following day. On May 18, while bathing her daughter, the mother noticed unusual stains on the child’s clothes. The girl then disclosed that the accused had raped her on May 13 while she was sweeping his house and had threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed about the incident to anyone. She also alleged that he had inappropriately touched her on two earlier occasions.Following the complaint, a case was registered at Banjara Hills police station and the victim was referred to the Bharosa Centre, where her statement was recorded and she, along with her family, received counselling and emotional support throughout the investigation and trial.Police said the conviction was secured through the coordinated efforts of the investigating officers, prosecutors, legal counsellors and the Bharosa team. The progress of the case was monitored by the Women Safety Wing of the Hyderabad City Police. Published - August 07, 2026 06:46 pm IST