14 accused in Jhagadia gang rape get life term

Bharuch, Oct 20 (UNI) Terming the crime ''unpardonable'' and categorising it as the worst crime against humanity, the fast track court of additional district judge N K Purani, in a strongly-worded judgment, today awarded life imprisonment to 14 youth, who were booked for the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl at Jhagadia on February, 2 2008.

The court also asked them to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation to the victim.

The incident came to light, when the victim's mother lodged a complaint with the police on February 12, 10 days after the incident took place. Following protests by local tribals, police swung into action and intensified combing leading to arrest of all the accused.

All 14 accused had raped the tribal girl, student of Class X at Diwan Dhanjishah School of Jhagadia, when she was sitting with her friend behind the school ground. The accused were also charged with beating and threatening both victim and her friend.

Bharuch district government pleader P N Parmar told UNI, ''The victim was flightened and could not even inform her parents about the incident that took place with her but later her mother came to know about it and lodged an FIR at Jhagadia police station.'' Public prosecutor said the statement of the victim and her friend was strong proof.

All the accused -- Brijesh, Keval, Mukesh, Vasava, Prakesh Vasava, Jyanti Vasava, Gangaram Vasava, Jitu Vasava, Pankaj, Bobi Vasava, Ajay Vasava, Yogesh Vasava, Shailesh Vasava and Haresh Patel, all residents of Zaghadia, were sent to Bharuch sub jail.

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