Wed Dec 17 14:45:40 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the article and a rewritten news report:

Summary:

The Bombay High Court upheld the life imprisonment conviction of Jagannath Pandurang Waghare for repeatedly raping his 14-year-old daughter. Waghare’s appeal challenged the 2017 judgment of a lower court. While the High Court dismissed a DNA report used as evidence due to issues with its chain of custody, they affirmed the conviction based on the victim’s testimony, corroborated by her mother, which they deemed “sterling in quality.” The court emphasized the severity of the crime, especially committed by a father against his daughter, and rejected any leniency, stating such acts undermine the very concept of family as a place of safety.

News Article:

Bombay High Court Upholds Life Sentence for Father Who Repeatedly Raped Daughter

Mumbai, December 17, 2025 – The Bombay High Court today reaffirmed the life imprisonment sentence of Jagannath Pandurang Waghare, a Raigad man convicted of repeatedly raping his 14-year-old daughter. The court, comprising Justices Manish Pitale and Manjusha Deshpande, dismissed Waghare’s appeal against the 2017 judgment, emphasizing the egregious nature of the crime and the need for uncompromising legal action.

While the court ruled that a DNA report linking Waghare to the victim’s pregnancy could not be considered due to a flawed chain of custody, they upheld the conviction based on the victim’s testimony, which they described as “sterling in quality,” and corroborated by her mother. The court also cited Section 29 of the POCSO Act, which creates a presumption of guilt once foundational facts are established.

“Such heinous crime, when committed by a father against his own daughter, has the tendency of destroying the basic fabric of familial life and trust,” the court stated in its judgment. They rejected any arguments for leniency, citing Supreme Court precedent emphasizing that when a parent, who is supposed to be a protector, becomes the perpetrator of abuse, the law must respond with unwavering force. The court clarified that, under Section 376(2) of the IPC, life imprisonment means incarceration for the remainder of the convict’s natural life. This ruling sends a clear message that the courts will not tolerate such acts of violence and will hold perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

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