A court in Vadodara has delivered a landmark verdict in the 2024 Navratri gang rape case involving a minor girl, sentencing all five convicts to rigorous life imprisonment. Terming the crime as extremely heinous, the court directed that a compensation of 10 lakh rupees be paid to the survivor. Special Public Prosecutor Nayan Sukhadwala stated that Additional District and Sessions Judge CM Pawar imposed a fine of 50,000 rupees on each of the five convicts, in addition to ordering the government to provide the financial compensation to the victim.
Convicts Sentenced to Life and Court Observations
The five individuals convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment are Munna Abbas Banjara, Mumtaz alias Aftab Subedar Banjara, Shahrukh Kismatali Banjara, Saifali Mehendihasan Banjara, and Ajmal Satar Banjara. While delivering the ruling, the court emphasized that women hold a vital role in society and that committing a gang rape against any woman or minor is an exceptionally grave offense. The court categorized the incident as one of the most disgusting acts, noting that because the attack took place during Navratri, a festival dedicated to Goddess Amba, the offense could not be taken lightly. The bench further observed that the evidence presented during the trial was robust and left no room for doubt.
The Night of the Incident on October 4, 2024
The horrific crime took place on the night of October 4, 2024, during the peak of Navratri celebrations when residents across the city were out late attending garba events. At the time, the 16-year-old survivor was out with her male friend. According to statements given to the police, she had gone to meet a childhood friend in the Lakshmipura area of the city at around 11 PM. Around midnight, the two were returning on a scooty from the Bhayli locality when five individuals riding a two-wheeler intercepted them on a deserted stretch of road. The perpetrators held the girl's male companion captive before committing the assault.
Key Evidence and Investigation Details
Special Public Prosecutor Nayan Sukhadwala noted that the testimonies of the survivor and her male companion served as two crucial pieces of direct evidence considered by the court. Furthermore, the survivor immediately informed her brother and mother about the ordeal after the incident, and their statements were also utilized as supporting evidence. During the crime, the perpetrators looted the victim's mobile phone and threw it into the Vishwamitri River. Although police and fire department teams made concerted efforts to recover the device, it could not be retrieved. Nevertheless, the court accepted the fact that the phone was indeed looted and disposed of in the river. Additionally, out of 26 CCTV camera footages analyzed by investigators, the accused were clearly visible in footage from three cameras, which the court admitted into evidence.
