Thane: youth sentenced to seven years in jail for rape

A nineteen years old youth from a hamlet in Vikramgadh taluka of Thane district, charged with raping a minor girl, was today sentenced to seven year's rigorous imprisonment by the sessions court here.
The order was passed by the Additional Sessions Judge A N Waghwase.
Additional Public Prosecutor Sangeeta Fad said the victim was on the way back to her home after attending Holi celebrations on the evening of March 10, 2009, when the accused, Sunil Shelke, caught up with her in the pitch darkness along the river at Deherje and raped her.
The next day, the village panchayat was convened where the accused reportedly confessed to the crime and offered to marry the girl and pay her Rs 1,051 as compensation.

He paid the money, but later refused to marry her, the prosecutor said.
After one month, the girl's parents lodged a complaint with the Vikramgadh police who arrested the accused.
The panchayat members were also examined during the trial. The prosecution also produced the written agreement between the accused and victim.
Advocate R P Patil appeared for the accused youth.