Four get 20-year RI for gang rape of minor girl

A local court today sentenced four persons to rigorous imprisonment of 20 years in connection with the gang rape of a minor girl at Songaon village in the district last March.
The district and sessions court Judge Urmila Phalke-Joshi convicted three youths under various sections of IPC and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act for the crime while another youth only for criminal intimidation and abetment.
The court also imposed fine of Rs 5,000 on each convict and prescribed rigorous imprisonment of additional three years in case of failure to pay.
Public Prosecutor Dipshikha Bhide said the court examined the DNA reports to convict Balu Dongare (19), Popat Rahire (28), Ramdas Lilke (32), and Shrawan Lilke (25).

Though Dongare, Rahire and Lilke actually committed the crime, the court held Shrawan guilty for criminal intimidation and abetment and handed him the similar jail term as given to his friends.
As per prosecution, the incident occurred near a tree on the outskirts of the village when the girl was on her way to meet her brother who was working in a nearby field.
The court examined six witnesses during the trial.