On April 11, a special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) court in Pune, Maharashtra, India, sentenced a 56-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting his two minor nieces, aged 12 and 13. The accused exploited his position as a trusted relative, luring the girls away from their home in Uruli Devachi under the pretext of buying them clothes. The assaults took place between January and November 2020, and the victims remained silent due to fear of threats made by the accused. The court dismissed the defense's argument that the incidents could not have occurred during the COVID-19 lockdown, citing lodge registers that confirmed the man's presence at the lodges on specific dates. The prosecution argued for the harshest penalty, emphasizing the serious nature of the crimes. In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of ₹30,000 (approximately $360 USD) and recommended compensation for the victims under a legal assistance scheme.