- विज्ञापन -
Ahmedabad: In a notable advancement for victims of sexual crimes, Gujarat’s courts made a strong statement on February 25 by sentencing seven rapists to life imprisonment in a single day under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home, praised this decision as a significant success, underscoring the government’s commitment to combating serious crimes like rape.
In an interview, Sanghavi stated, “The Gujarat government is relentlessly pursuing grave offenses such as rape. We are devoted to ensuring justice for every girl and woman in the state. On this historic day, seven families in Gujarat experienced the victory of justice as their rapists received life sentences, reflecting our firm dedication to the POCSO Act.”
He acknowledged the efforts of police forces in Amreli, Vadodara, and Rajkot for their prompt and thorough investigations that led to the conviction of these offenders.
Sanghavi went on to highlight the achievements made under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, noting that over 500 women have received justice in the form of life sentences for their attackers. He also mentioned the government’s determination to advocate for stricter penalties, including the death penalty, for the most severe offenders.
“Over the past few years, we have successfully sentenced more than 574 rapists to life imprisonment, with 11 individuals receiving death sentences. On February 25, we witnessed landmark judgments across Amreli, Vadodara, and Rajkot, where seven rapists were sentenced to life, ensuring justice for their victims,” Sanghavi stated.
He emphasized the effectiveness of law enforcement, citing examples from Amreli, Rajkot, and Vadodara where police acted swiftly. In Amreli, charges were filed just 17 days after the suspects’ arrests, while in a particularly tragic case in Rajkot involving rape and murder, the charge sheet was completed in 40 days. The rapid response of Rajkot’s rural police was also commended, with arrests and charges filed shortly after the crimes occurred.
In the last three years, Gujarat’s courts have delivered 947 verdicts in POCSO cases, leading to 574 rapists being sentenced to life and 11 receiving the death penalty, demonstrating the state’s firm stance against sexual violence.
