DNA Evidence Secures 20-Year Sentence in Bihar Child Abuse Case

A special court in Munger has sentenced Sourabh Kumar Sah to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing a minor girl, with DNA analysis proving crucial to securing the conviction despite significant witness credibility issues.

The case involved Sah allegedly fleeing with his wife's underage sister after leaving his own wife at her parents' home in Munger. During the trial under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, three witnesses—the victim, her mother, and Sah's wife—significantly altered or withdrew their original statements, undermining the prosecution's narrative.

However, DNA testing of the fetus carried by the minor victim definitively established Sah's paternity, providing forensic evidence that superseded the inconsistent witness testimonies. The genetic evidence proved instrumental in convincing the court of the accused's guilt despite the witnesses' retraction of earlier claims.

The reliance on scientific evidence highlights the challenges faced by investigators in cases involving witness intimidation or pressure to recant statements. The POCSO court determined the DNA findings constituted sufficient proof of the crime, leading to the conviction and substantial prison sentence.