Man sentenced to 20 years of RI for abduction, sexual assault of minor

Times News NetworkKhargone: A special court in Khargone has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine in a case involving abduction and sexual assault of a minor girl, relying primarily on scientific evidence and a positive DNA report despite the victim turning hostile during trial.Additional Sessions Judge Kailash Prasad Markam, Special POCSO Court in Khargone, held the accused Satish Sagore guilty and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 13,000.According to the prosecution, the case dates back to March 23, 2022, when the survivor’s father lodged a complaint at Khargone police station. The complainant, a labourer, stated that he had dropped his daughter and two other girls at a school on his motorcycle for their class 11 examination and returned home.Later, one of the girls informed him over the phone that his daughter had been taken away on a motorcycle by Satish Sagore. Upon reaching the school, the complainant met the two girls, who told him that they had completed their examination early and came out of the examination centre. They allegedly witnessed the victim leaving with the accused on his motorcycle. The father further stated that the accused had earlier tried to lure the minor girl and that he had even warned the accused’s family members about his behaviour.

Despite the warnings, the accused allegedly continued pursuing the girl and eventually took her away.After the victim could not be traced despite extensive searches, the matter was reported to the police. Following investigation, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and filed a charge sheet before the court.During the trial, the minor victim turned hostile and did not support the prosecution’s version of events. However, the prosecution relied on scientific and forensic evidence, including a positive DNA report, which corroborated the allegations against the accused.