Patna: Special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) judge Ravindra Nath Tripathi on Tuesday convicted Sanjeev Kumar (45), the father of two, for raping his own daughter, a student of Class VIII, for the past two years.

The quantum of the punishment will be announced on April 13.

Sanjeev used to sexually molest his daughter, when she was barely 12. His wife committed suicide by immolating herself in 2013 after being unable to stop her husband from raping their daughter. She was admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

On July 4, 2013, when he again tried to rape the girl, she called up her cousin sister and narrated her the entire incident over phone. A case was lodged the same day.

Seven persons deposed during the trial including the girl and her brother, two years younger to her.

Apart from both, the victim's maternal grandmother, her cousin sister, the prosecution quizzed investigating officer (IO) of the case and the doctor during the trial by the prosecution side.

"The court held Sanjeev guilty under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act 6, which invites not less than 10 years of imprisonment which may extend to imprisonment for life, and fine, both," said Suresh Chandra Prasad, the special public prosecutor, POCSO.

Prasad said Rajendra was also charged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 376 with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to 19 years.