Thane court sentences man to 20 years rigorous imprisonment for raping minor on promise of marriage
Four prosecution witnesses, including the survivor, her mother and neighbour, were examined to prove the charges against the accused
In a recent ruling, a special court in Maharashtra's Thane district handed down a 20-year rigorous imprisonment sentence to a 35-year-old man for repeatedly raping a minor girl under the guise of a marriage promise. The convicted individual, Shrinivas Ashok Yelgonda, a painter, was found guilty under Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act provisions.
Despite the lack of violence or premeditation, the court deemed a 20-year sentence mandatory. The victim, a minor residing in the same housing society as the accused, had a romantic relationship with Yelgonda through phone conversations beginning in June 2020. The abuse became known in February 2022 when the accused broke his promise to marry the victim.
Four witnesses, including the survivor, her mother, and a neighbor, testified against Yelgonda. The court acknowledged the victim's minority, which made her consent legally invalid, but emphasized that the romantic context served as a significant mitigating factor in the sentencing. The judge imposed a fine of ₹5,000 alongside the prison term.
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