6 convicted for trafficking and sexually assaulting woman, 4 get 20-yr jail

Nagpur: A special court sentenced four men to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) each and awarded seven years’ RI each to two others in a trafficking and repeated sexual assault case involving a 21-year-old woman in 2022. Out of the 12 accused in the case, five remain absconding and one was acquitted.Those awarded 20 years’ RI are Ashok Sharma (42), Sanjay Parikh (36), Vijay Soni (35) and Mukesh Kumar Jakhar (27). The court also imposed fines, with additional imprisonment in case of non-payment, under the respective offences.Annukhan alias Muskan Khan (22) and Geeta Saini (38) were sentenced to seven years’ RI for offences related to trafficking. Fines and additional imprisonment in default of payment were also imposed.Special Ad-hoc Judge-18 J C Yadav passed the order on Oct 3 in the case registered with Pachpaoli police station. The court convicted the accused on the basis of witness testimony and other evidence presented by the prosecution.As per the prosecution, the woman met Annukhan while seeking a catering job between Sept 2021 and Jan 2022. She was allegedly lured to Jaipur with the promise of employment. She was allegedly confined in a lodge and threatened. She was allegedly handed over to other accused, forcibly married off and subjected to repeated sexual assault and torture, the prosecution said.The case was registered under provisions dealing with abducting a woman, wrongful confinement, trafficking, repeated rape and criminal intimidation. The accused were arrested between Jan 5 and Feb 22 in 2022.Karan Sukhpal Gangaboir alias Salman Khan, Bhagwati Devi Ashok Sharma, Sagar Garhwal, Shyam Gurulia and Durga Rana Gopal Singh Rana did not appear for the proceedings. A charge sheet was filed against them under provisions relating to absconding accused, and further action will be taken upon their arrest. Shireen Khan Aziz Khan (19) was acquitted.The prosecution, represented by the addl public prosecutor Rashmi Khaparde, examined 10 witnesses. The then investigating officer PM Dhakulkar filed the charge sheet after completing the investigation. Woman police constable Apeksha Bodele assisted in the court proceedings.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in NagpurStay updated with the latest Nagpur news. Download the TOI App.