Justice Served: 20-Year Sentence for Child Rapist in Gorwa, Vadodara

VADODARA,GUJARAT : In a landmark judgement, the session court on Tuesday sentenced the accused, Surpal alias Appu Rakeshbhai Koli Patel, to 20 years in prison for the rape of a 13-year-old girl in Gorwa area of Vadodara. The court also ordered a compensation of 6 lakhs to be paid to the minor victim from the victim compensation fund.

The incident dates back to April 13, 2022, when the family of the victim, residing in the Panchvati area of Gorwa,Vadodara woke up to find their thirteen-year-old daughter missing. Despite a frantic search, she was nowhere to be found.

Upon investigation, it was revealed that Surpal alias Appu had abducted the minor. The family promptly filed a complaint at the Gorwa police station against Surpal. The minor was taken to a brick kiln on the outskirts of Dharampuri village where she was subjected to the heinous crime.

The Gorwa police acted swiftly, arresting Surpal and registering a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against him. The chargesheet was presented to the Sessions Judge, marking the beginning of a trial that would bring justice to the minor victim.

After a thorough examination of the case, the court convicted the accused. Citing the minor’s age as less than sixteen years, the court ruled that the punishment under POCSO cannot be less than twenty years. However, there is a provision which may extend to life imprisonment and fine.

In addition to the twenty years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.10,000, the court also ordered the minor victim to be paid Rs 6 lakh from the victim compensation fund. This landmark judgement serves as a stern reminder that such heinous crimes will not be tolerated and justice will be served.