Surat: A 21-year-old autorickshaw driver has been sentenced to 20 years in jail after being convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl.The incident took place in September 2023 in the Kapodra police station area, where the accused raped the victim at his residence. The accused was the victim’s father’s cousin and she used to address him as uncle. Taking advantage of her trust, he sexually assaulted her when no one else was present at his home.Following the incident, the Kapodra police registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC and Pocso Act.The court found the accused guilty of rape and along with a jail sentence of 20 years, it also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000, which will be paid to the victim towards her medical expenses and rehabilitation.Additionally, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority in Surat to provide Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the victim under the Gujarat Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019.
