Kota Court Sentences Two to 20 Years for Raping Dalit Woman

Two men were sentenced to 20 years in prison by an SC/ST court on Wednesday for abducting and raping a Dalit woman in Kota eight years ago. The convicts, Pappu Lashkar, 52, and Pappu Odd, 39, both residents of Kaithun area, committed the crime on May 4, 2016, according to Special Public Prosecutor Hitesh Jain.

Details of the Crime

The woman was abducted while she was out with her 18-month-old son. They held her captive in a house and repeatedly raped her while threatening to kill her son. Despite the threats, the woman managed to escape after two days. A case was registered on May 16, 2016, and a charge sheet was subsequently filed.

During the trial, statements from 13 witnesses were recorded and 21 documents were presented as evidence. The court not only sentenced the two men to 20 years in jail but also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on each of them.

Another Conviction in Baran

In a separate case, a POCSO court in Baran sentenced a 22-year-old man to 20 years in prison for raping a minor girl four years ago. The convict, Lokesh, had befriended the 16-year-old girl on Facebook and lured her to a secluded place where he raped her. The court also fined him Rs 1.50 lakh.

The minor survivor stated in her complaint that Lokesh had gained her trust through social media before committing the crime. The public prosecutor confirmed these details during the trial.

The SC/ST court's decision reflects the severity of crimes against women and minors and aims to deliver justice for the survivors. Both cases highlight the importance of stringent legal actions against such heinous acts.