Gujarat Courts deliver seven life sentences in POCSO cases in single day, Harsh Sanghvi Applauds

Gandhinagar : In a landmark move toward justice, courts in Amreli, Vadodara, and Rajkot delivered seven crucial verdicts on February 25, 2025, sentencing seven rapists to life imprisonment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghvi lauded the efforts of the police teams involved in these cases and reiterated the government’s resolve to maintain strict law enforcement against crimes involving minors. 

The verdicts come as part of the state government’s zero-tolerance policy toward such heinous crimes. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has emphasized the importance of controlling atrocities, exploitation, and rape cases in Gujarat. Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghvi has also directed the Gujarat Police to conduct thorough investigations, gather solid evidence, and present strong cases to ensure maximum punishment for offenders. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the recent court decisions.

The convictions were a result of detailed investigations carried out by Amreli, Vadodara, and Rajkot city and rural police. The authorities collected critical evidence, including forensic reports, and government prosecutors presented strong arguments in court. Due to the swift action taken by the police, the legal process moved efficiently, leading to life sentences for all seven accused in separate cases.

In two cases from Amreli, police filed the charge sheets within just 17 days of the accused’s arrest. In another case, the accused was arrested on the same day of the crime. Meanwhile, Rajkot city police filed a charge sheet within 40 days in a rape and murder case, and Rajkot rural police ensured quick legal proceedings by arresting the accused on the day of the crime in the Patanvav case and filing a charge sheet within seven days in the Bhayavadar case.

Sanghavi affirmed that under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, Gujarat will continue to take the strongest possible action against offenders to provide justice to victims and deter future crimes.

The recent judgments are part of a broader trend in Gujarat’s judicial system. Over the past three years, courts have handed down rigorous imprisonment in 947 POCSO cases. Of these, 574 convicts received life sentences, while 11 were sentenced to death.