Thane: Man sentenced to 10 years RI for kidnapping, raping 15-year-old girl

A special court in Maharashtras Thane district sentenced a man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for kidnapping and raping a 15yearold girl reported news agency PTISpecial judge V V Virkar on Thursday found the accused guilty of charges under sections 363 kidnapping and 376 rape of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act reported PTIThe accused was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 8000 was imposed on himSpecial public prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale informed the court that the accused and the victim who was 15 at the time of the crime lived in the same locality reported PTIOn June 13 2018 the accused kidnapped the girl and raped her after promising to marry her she saidThe victim was studying in a local school and worked at a factory Hiwrale said adding that nine witnesses were examined during the trialMeanwhile a court in Thane has acquitted a 31yearold tribal man accused of raping a mentally challenged and speech and hearingimpaired minor girl in neighbouring Palghar district in 2013Special Judge V V Virkar hearing cases pertaining to the POCSO Act held the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused hence he was being given the benefit of doubtThe order was issued on July 15 and a copy of it was made available on ThursdaySpecial Public Prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale told the court that the victim then aged 16 and the accused a married man having two children resided in the same locality in Jawhar taluka of PalgharThe girl stayed with her mother who was a widow In the night the girl would go to sleep in the house of her parental aunt who resided in the neighbourhood and suffered from nightblindnessThe accused lured the victim and took her to his house where he allegedly raped her on various occasions after promising to marry her according to the prosecutionThe victim was found to be pregnant in 2013 The accused refused to marry her and also threatened her family members with dire consequencesThe victim had informed her mother about the offence through sign language following which her family approached the police and the accused was arrested and booked under various provisions including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO ActDefence counsel Ramrao Jagtap contested the charges against the accused and punched holes in the prosecution caseHe argued that the prosecution failed to examine the doctor to whom the victim had gone for medical tests and her aunt with whom she used to stay at nightAfter hearing both the sides the judge held the prosecution has failed to prove the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubtHence he is being given the benefit of doubt and acquitted the court saidWith inputs from PTI