A significant ruling was made by the Kapadvanj Sessions Court recently regarding a serious crime involving the abduction of a minor. The court sentenced Ashok alias Ajay Ishwarbhai Solanki to 20 years in prison for his actions that occurred in 2022.
The incident took place on July 26, 2022. Ashok, aged 26, lured a 16-year-old girl from the village of Bavana Muvada under the pretense of marriage. This was not an isolated incident. It was reported that Ashok had previously committed sexual offenses against the same girl multiple times. After abducting her, he took her to various locations, including Bhungaliya, Torana, and Vansukuva, where he continued to exploit her.
The police registered a case against Ashok under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 363 (kidnapping), 366 (kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her marriage), and 376 (punishment for rape). Additionally, charges were filed against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
During the trial, the Public Prosecutor, Minesh R. Patel, presented over 30 documentary evidences and 8 witness testimonies. The victim’s statement, medical evidence, and witness accounts contributed significantly to the case against Ashok. The Special Judge under POCSO, K.S. Patel, considered these facts and delivered the verdict.
The court imposed a rigorous term of 20 years imprisonment on Ashok for the offenses under the POCSO Act. Furthermore, he was also fined ₹5,000. If he fails to pay the fine, he will face an additional five months in simple imprisonment. In relation to the IPC charges, he received a separate sentence of 4 years and a fine of ₹2,500, with a similar provision for additional imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
In a noteworthy aspect of the ruling, the court ordered the District Legal Services Authority to provide ₹4,00,000 as compensation to the victim under the Gujarat Victim Compensation Scheme. Out of this amount, 75% will be kept in a nationalised bank account for five years, with interest paid to the victim. The remaining amount will be provided to her after verification of identity.
This ruling highlights the serious stance taken by the Indian judiciary regarding crimes against minors, especially sexual offenses. The government aims to create a deterrent for such crimes and encourage victims to come forward without fear of stigma.
In recent years, there has been an increase in similar cases across the country, raising concerns about the safety of young girls. Legal experts and child rights advocates have been calling for stricter measures and faster justice to protect minors from exploitation.
The verdict in Kapadvanj serves as an important reminder of the need to protect children and hold offenders accountable. It also sheds light on the ongoing efforts to strengthen legal frameworks and ensure justice for victims of such heinous acts. The community is hopeful that this decision will deter potential offenders and promote a safer environment for all children.
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