In a significant ruling aimed at safeguarding child rights, the Additional Sessions Judge at Vadgaon Maval, Pune, sentenced Mukesh Kumar Mahesh Mato, a 20-year-old painter from Bihar, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for the attempted rape of a 13-year-old girl. The incident occurred on November 16, 2023, when the victim, a Class 7 student, went to fetch water and was intercepted by Mato, who silenced her and dragged her to the terrace. The court found the testimonies of the victim and her mother to be credible and highlighted the severe psychological and physical harm inflicted by such crimes. In addition to the prison sentence, Mato was also fined ₹50,000. The court imposed an additional 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and another ₹50,000 fine under the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012, underscoring the legal system's commitment to protecting minors from sexual offenses.