India, Aug. 27 -- A Special POCSO court in Vadgaon Maval has sentenced a 61-year-old retired municipal employee to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life for repeatedly sexually assaulting his 13-year-old grandniece over eight months.

Additional Sessions Judge D K Anbhule delivered the verdict on August 25 and convicted Ramesh Pawar under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

According to the prosecution, Pawar is the paternal uncle of the victim's mother. He allegedly took advantage of his familiarity and regular access to the family's home in the Dehu Road police station limits to sexually assault the girl from April 2024.

The...