Varanasi: Two courts in Azamgarh and Ballia districts sentenced two men to life imprisonment and 25 years of rigorous imprisonment, respectively, in separate rape cases involving minor and Dalit survivors.In Azamgarh, the Special Judge, SC/ST Act, sentenced Abhishek Chauhan (23) of Sihi Rasoolpur under Jahanaganj police station, to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 40,000 for raping a Dalit girl in 2023.Azamgarh SSP Anil Kumar said coordinated investigation, regular monitoring by the district cell and effective prosecution under Operation Conviction resulted in the conviction.According to the case, the survivor’s mother lodged a complaint in May 2023, alleging that Chauhan intercepted the girl while she was returning from a puja at a neighbouring house and forcibly took her to a rooftop, where he raped her. Jahanaganj police registered a case under relevant provisions of the IPC and SC/ST Act and submitted a chargesheet after investigation. During the trial, the prosecution examined six witnesses to establish the charges.In Ballia, the Special Judge, Pocso Act, Court No. 08, sentenced Javed Khan (22) of Akhar village under Dubhar police station, to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 40,000 in a 2023 case involving the rape of a 14-year-old girl. At the time of incident Javed was 22-year-old.Ballia SP Omveer Singh said effective follow-up by the monitoring cell and prosecution department under Operation Conviction led to the conviction. The accused was booked under relevant provisions of the IPC, IT Act and POCSO Act on charges including kidnapping, abduction or inducing a woman to compel marriage and rape of a minor below 16 years.
