Rajkot: A special Pocso court in Morbi has sentenced a man to imprisonment for the rest of his natural life for kidnapping and repeatedly raping a 15-year-old girl in 2016. Six accomplices were given five years of rigorous imprisonment for their roles in the abduction and abetment of the crime. According to the prosecution, on the night of Nov 11, 2016, in Kotda Nayani village of Wankaner taluka, the victim — then 15 years and four months old — was abducted around 2.30am when she stepped out of her home to use the bathroom. The prime accused, Naresh alias Mahesh Solanki, along with seven family members and associates, forced her into a cargo rickshaw and took her to a secluded farm managed by his family. To prevent her from being seen, they dug a 5.5-foot pit, covered it with wooden planks and tin sheets, and camouflaged it with soil. The girl was held captive in this pit until Dec 13, 2016. During that period, Naresh repeatedly raped her, allowing her out only for basic needs and keeping her under strict watch. Her grandfather’s police complaint led to her rescue. A subsequent medical examination showed she was six weeks pregnant, and the court later authorized termination of the pregnancy. DNA profiling by the Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed Naresh was the biological father of the fetus, giving the prosecution decisive scientific evidence. At trial, the defence argued that Naresh and the victim were in a romantic relationship and that she had left home voluntarily. They produced “love letters” and call recordings. However, the court held that under the Pocso Act, any purported “consent” of a minor is legally immaterial. Public prosecutor N D Kariya described the accused’s actions as “barbaric” and “monstrous”, pointing to the extreme cruelty of confining a child in a pit for over a month. Special Pocso judge K R Pandya convicted Naresh alias Mahesh Solanki, Haresh Solanki, Jayanti Solanki, Devkaran Solanki, Avchar Solanki, Chana Solanki and Kishor Solanki. Naresh was sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life, while the others received five-year terms. One accused, Chatur Solanki, died during the trial, leading to abatement of the case against him. The court also ordered payment of Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the victim.
