Thane, Maharashtra: In a significant verdict, the Thane Sessions Court on Friday sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the 2017 gangrape, kidnapping, and robbery of a 30-year-old woman. The court also imposed a fine of ₹55,000 on the convicts. The horrifying incident took place on December 20, 2017, when the victim, a store manager at Inorbit Mall, Malad, was returning home. She boarded an auto-rickshaw to Kashimira and later took a tourist cab to Thane, which was diverted to a secluded location by the accused.
The convicts, identified as Suresh Pandurang Gosavi (40) and Umesh alias Rakesh Zhala (39), robbed her of her jewellery and mobile phone before sexually assaulting her in the car. They later took her to a lodge, where she screamed for help, forcing them to flee.
Investigation & Court Verdict
A case was filed at the Kashimira police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Investigators used CCTV footage and witness testimonies to track down the accused.
During the trial, Additional Public Prosecutors Varsha Chandane and Rajendra P Patil presented crucial evidence proving the accused’s involvement beyond doubt. The court, in its verdict, emphasized that the prosecution had successfully established all charges, leading to the life imprisonment sentence.
Justice Delivered
The verdict is seen as a significant step in delivering justice and ensuring strict punishment for crimes against women.
