Man gets 20 years in jail for rape of 15-year-old disabled girl

Rajkot: A special Pocso court in Amreli sentenced a 25-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 for the abduction and rape of a disabled 15-year-old girl. The court also convicted Raju, alias Rahul Nayak, of kidnapping the victim's 12-year-old sister.The court, presided over by Special Judge Dharmendra C Shrivastava, awarded Nayak a seven-year sentence and a Rs 10,000 fine under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This was in addition to the 20-year sentence and Rs 20,000 fine under the Pocso Act and other BNS provisions. Furthermore, the court ordered Rs 4 lakh in compensation to be paid to the 15-year-old victim, who, along with her younger sister, has a learning disability.According to case details, Nayak was arrested on Jan 11, 2025, after the victims' mother lodged a complaint at the Damnagar police station in Amreli. The FIR was registered under Sections 137(2), 64(2)(l), and 65(1) of the BNS and Sections 4, 6, 8, and 18 of the Pocso Act.The complaint stated that Nayak, a native of the Vadodara district, lured the two sisters. The elder sister later revealed that Nayak led them through a cotton field to Dhruvaniya village and sexually assaulted her while instructing the younger sibling to wait outside. He later abandoned the sisters in the village.Investigating officer Rohit Rawal told TOI that evidence was collected within eight days, and a chargesheet was filed on Jan 19, 2025. Charges were framed against Nayak on March 29, 2025. The evidence included medical testimony, statements from the victims and parents, and forensic support. The victims' depositions were recorded under Section 183 of the BNS.