HC sentences four accused of gang rape to 10 years RI

Setting aside the order of a lower court acquitting the four, a division bench headed by Justice Dilip B Bhosale also sentenced the four accused to five years rigorous imprisonment.

Allowing an appeal by the state government, the court imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each on them.

According to prosecution, Gangadharappa, Siddappagari Manjunath, Gopala and Gadampalli Shrinivas had raped on the night of July 26, 2005 in a village near Siddlagatta in Kolar district.

The next evening, the woman committed suicide by setting herself ablaze.

The four were acquitted by a trial court in 2007 after which the state government filed an appeal against the trial court order.