Vadodara: A Pocso court in Vadodara has convicted five men for gang-raping a minor girl in Bhayli area during Navratri in 2024. The court found all five guilty and will pronounce the quantum of punishment at the next hearing on Aug 25.“We examined 45 witnesses and presented all material evidence to establish that the accused had committed gang-rape,” said advocate Anil Desai, special public prosecutor.The incident took place on the night of Oct 4, 2024 when the girl was out with a male friend at a secluded spot in Bhayli. The five accused — Munna Abbas Banjara, Mumtaz alias Aftab Banjara, Shahrukh Banjara, Ali Banjara and Ajmal Banjara — were riding motorcycles when they spotted the duo sitting at a secluded place and confronted them.The accused allegedly took away the keys of the girl’s two-wheeler and threatened to inform her family. When the girl screamed for help, two of the accused fled the spot. The remaining three allegedly threatened her and passed lewd remarks. When her friend objected, one of the accused pinned him down while the other two allegedly raped the girl.Police formed several teams to track down the accused and arrested all five within two days of the incident. The accused, all natives of Uttar Pradesh, had migrated to Vadodara several years ago and were living with their families in Tandalja. They were engaged in painting and other labour work.Police completed the investigation swiftly and filed a 6,000-page chargesheet within three weeks of the incident.
