<div>In a landmark ruling, a special POCSO court in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, sentenced a local man named Neelu to death on September 17, 2025, for the brutal rape and murder of a 7-year-old girl. The heinous crime, which took place on January 13, 2019, in Imalia Sultanpur village, has left the rural community reeling and reignited calls for stronger child protection measures. The tragedy unfolded when the young girl, playing near her home, was allegedly lured by Neelu with the promise of candy. When she failed to return home that evening, her family and neighbors launched a desperate search. The next morning, her body was discovered in a nearby field, partially hidden, with a postmortem confirming sexual assault and death by asphyxia due to throttling. Sitapur police acted swiftly, arresting Neelu within days based on witness accounts and forensic evidence, including DNA linking him to the crime. Charged under the Indian Penal Code for kidnapping, rape, and murder, as well as the POCSO Act, Neelu faced a fast-tracked trial in a special court. The prosecution presented over 10 witnesses, including family members and medical experts, whose testimonies, combined with forensic proof, left little room for doubt. The court, in its verdict, described the crime as a "rarest of rare" case, citing the victim&rsquo;s tender age and the calculated betrayal by a neighbor. Alongside the death penalty, the judge imposed a ₹50,000 fine and recommended compensation for the victim&rsquo;s family under the Uttar Pradesh Victim Compensation Scheme.The girl&rsquo;s father, speaking outside the courtroom, expressed mixed emotions: &ldquo;Nothing can bring her back, but we hope this punishment is carried out soon.&rdquo; The case has struck a chord in Sitapur, a district plagued by similar incidents. In 2019 alone, another child rape case surfaced in a nearby village, and in 2020, a gang-rape in Imalia Sultanpur drew widespread condemnation. Local activists and residents have since protested, demanding better policing and awareness campaigns to protect children. &ldquo;This verdict is justice, but prevention is what we need,&rdquo; said a local women&rsquo;s group leader. The death sentence awaits confirmation by the Allahabad High Court, a mandatory step for capital punishment in India, and Neelu&rsquo;s legal team is expected to appeal. With executions rare in India, the last being in 2020 for the Nirbhaya case, the road to final justice may be long. For now, the verdict offers a semblance of closure to a grieving family and a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities children face in rural India. The case continues to fuel demands for systemic reforms to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.</div>

Sitapur Man Gets Death for Child’s Rape, Murder

Neelu sentenced for brutal 2019 killing of 7-year-old in Imalia Sultanpur

Sitapur Man Gets Death for Child’s Rape, Murder

Neelu sentenced for brutal 2019 killing of 7-year-old in Imalia Sultanpur

September 18, 2025 | 19:46 IST