KANPUR, Sept. 8 -- The special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) court in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district on Monday sentenced a man to death for the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl in June this year, terming the case "rarest of rare".

Special Judge (POCSO) Pradeep Mishra said the brutality of the act had "shaken the collective conscience of society" and warranted the severest punishment. The convict, Sunil Nishad, 35, was also fined Rs.65,000. District government counsel Vijay Bahadur Singh Parihar said the trial was completed within 58 days. The prosecution examined 11 witnesses and produced forensic and testimonial evidence that the court found conclusive.

According to the charge sheet, on June 3, 2025, N...