India, Oct. 28 -- A special POCSO court on Tuesday sentenced Pyare Miyan, the owner of a Bhopal-based vernacular newspaper, to 10 consecutive life terms for the rape and sexual assault of five minor girls. The punishment includes eight terms of imprisonment until death and two life imprisonment terms.

Special judge Kumadini Singh also imposed a fine of Rs.77.64 lakh on the 78-year-old newspaper owner. His accomplice, Rabia Bi, was sentenced to imprisonment of 20 years.

The conviction added to the four life sentences already handed down to Pyare Miyan in similar cases before.

Public prosecutor PN Singh Rajput said the accused had been targeting vulnerable girls since 2014 by luring them with promises of domestic work and a monthly salar...