LUCKNOW, Sept. 18 -- A special POCSO court in Sitapur on Thursday awarded the death penalty to a man for the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl. The accused, who was related to the victim, was also fined Rs.1,30,000.

Bhagirath Varma, additional district judge and special POCSO court judge, said, "This brutal incident against an innocent girl shames humanity, and such criminals have no right to live." The court described the case as "rarest of the rare" and noted that the accused posed a threat to society.

The incident took place on January 13, 2019, under the Imalia Sultanpur police station limits. The accused, identified as Neelu, allegedly lured the girl with candy. When she did not return home, family members and neighbours lau...