3 sentenced to life in prison for gang-raping teen

Thane, February 22 

Three people have been sentenced to life in prison by a court in Thane in Maharashtra for gang-raping a newly-wed teen.

District Judge S A Sinha, in a recent order, convicted Naveen Ashok Bagade (43), Santosh Yashwant Shelke (22) and Rajkumar Tikeshwar Sahani (29) under section 376 D (rape by one or more persons constituting a group) and 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code.

The three, all residents of Mithpada in the powerloom town of Bhiwandi in the district, were also fined Rs 15,000 while four others were acquitted in the case.

Additional Public Prosecutor Vandana Jadhav said the incident happened on August 17, 2014 at the teen's marital home in Bhiwandi.

At around 1 am that day, some men barged into their home and after assaulting and gagging her husband, took turns to rape the 19-year-old, the APP said.

The accused were heavily inebriated and inflicted severe bite injuries on the victim during the gang-rape, Jadhav said.

Judge Sinha, in her order, stated that considering the manner in which the accused raped and caused injuries to the victim, they did not deserve any leniency. — PTI