Nagpur court convicts six in Jaipur forced marriage and rape case, four get 20 years

A special court in Nagpur has convicted six accused of taking a woman to Jaipur on the pretext of catering work, marrying her there against her will and later raping her. Special court judge J.C. Yadav also pronounced the sentences.

Four of the accused were sentenced to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment each in the rape case. They are Ashok Badriprasad Sharma, Sanjay Madanlal Parikh, Vijay Kalyanmal Soni and Mukeshkumar Rameshwar Jakhar. The two women accused, Anu Khan alias Muskan Aziz Khan and Geeta Ramkhiladi Saini, were each sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

According to the case, the victim worked in catering. During this time she got to know Riya Somkunwar and Anu Khan. It is alleged that on September 20, 2021, Anu Khan called her to Nagpur, saying catering work could be found in Jaipur. On the night of September 27, she was taken to Jaipur with Anu Khan and Salman alias Karan Sheikh.

On reaching Jaipur, the woman was put up in a hotel. There she was suddenly told that she was to be married. When she objected, the accused beat her and threatened to implicate her in a false case.

According to the case presented before the court, she was married to Sanjay Madanlal Parikh against her will amid pressure and threats. The victim alleges that Sanjay then raped her. Ashok Sharma was later also accused of raping her. According to the victim, the accused also had her married a second time against her wishes, and she faced constant pressure and threats throughout.

The case was registered at Panchpaoli police station in 2022. A total of 12 people were named as accused. During the trial, the court acquitted Sirin Aziz Khan as not guilty. Five accused are still absconding, so the trial against them could not be held for now.

Advocate Rashmi Khaparde appeared for the government. On the basis of the evidence and witnesses produced, the court convicted the six accused and sentenced them.