UDAYAPUR: In a rare verdict, District Court today sentenced a man to three years in jail on the charge of marital rape. According to legal experts, this verdict is first of its kind in the district.

A single bench of District Judge Tejendra Prasad Sharma Sapkota took a decision to this effect today. A 38-year-old woman had accused her 45-year-old husband of forced sex.

The court passed the verdict as per Muluki Ain Regarding Rape, Chapter 3(6) and Sub-Section (4) of Section 219 of newly enacted Criminal Code Bill. According to the new law, the offenders will be liable to five years in prison.

The woman said, her husband repeatedly raped her, and even molested his own 7-year-old daughter on August 6 after which she filed a charge sheet against her husband at the police station on August 20.

Subsequently, police arrested the man. Later, he was sent to judicial custody on September 16.

After this verdict, another case of similar nature is in sub-judice at the court.