A section on sexual harassment of a minor under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act has been added along with the murder charge in the case related to the death of a 17-year-old student who was allegedly thrown off the second-floor balcony of Jadavpur University’s Main hostel on August 9.
Section 12 of the POCSO Act deals with punishment for the commission of sexual harassment on a child. The charge, if proved, could lead to jail for up to three years and a fine.
“The court was informed today that police have amended the charges and added Section 12 of the POCSO Act,” said chief public prosecutor Sourin Ghoshal.
The police said there was “enough evidence” to suggest that the 17-year-old boy was “sexually exploited”.
“Adding the section under the POCSO act will make the case stronger and stringent punishment can be expected against the accused,” said a senior officer.
“From the statement of the students who were in the hostel that night, it is apparent that the victim had nothing on him when he fell off the balcony. We also have statements from students saying how the victim was forced to strip and made to knock one door after another to introduce himself to other students,” said an officer attached to the case.
So far, 12 persons have been arrested. They were produced before the additional chief judicial magistrate on Friday.
After the addition of the POCSO charge against them, the court ordered their production before the Alipore POCSO court on Monday.
Apart from the section under the POCSO Act, the 12 youths have been charged with sections of murder and common intention.
The police had started a separate case for allegedly preventing them from entering the hotel compound on the night of August 9. Two present and a former student were arrested in that case.
All three have been granted bail in that case. Two of them have murder charge on them are in judicial remand in connection with the case.