A POCSO court in Bhilwara sentenced two men to death on Monday for the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl, whom they burned alive in a coal furnace in August of the previous year.
“Kalu and Kanha were awarded the death penalty by the court,” stated Special Public Prosecutor Mahaveer Singh Kishnawat.
On Saturday, the court found the two men guilty of the crime committed in August last year. Seven others accused of destroying evidence were acquitted, a decision Kishnawat said would be challenged in the high court.
The victim’s mother expressed satisfaction with the verdict, saying justice had been served.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot commented on the swift action taken by his government, noting that the accused were promptly arrested. “At that time ADG Crime was sent to the spot and the case was taken up under the Case Officer Scheme. The charge sheet of this case was filed within about a month. Today, within about 10 months, these culprits have been sentenced,” he said.
The incident occurred on August 2 last year when the girl went missing while grazing cattle. The two men raped her, hit her with sticks, and, assuming she was dead, threw her into a coal furnace.
Local residents found the girl’s bracelet at the site, leading to the discovery of her remains in the furnace.