Latest news with #D.S.Deshmukh
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
Man sentenced to 10-year RI for sexual assault of minor girl in Thane
Thane: A 28-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and fined Rs 20,000 for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2018. The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge and Special Pocso Judge D.S. Deshmukh. The crime occurred when the convicted man, then 23, befriended the victim near her school and persuaded her to accompany him and a friend to the friend's house. While the friend was in the kitchen, he forcibly kissed the victim, removed her clothing, and committed penetrative sexual assault despite her resistance. The frightened girl managed to push him away and returned home, where she confided in her mother after a neighbour alerted the family about her departure with two boys, prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale informed. The case was filed at Shrinagar police station, Thane, on Nov 2, 2018, leading to the arrest of both accused. The main accused was in judicial custody since January 2020, while his co-accused was released on bail. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The court examined evidence from 12 prosecution witnesses and found compelling proof of the crime. The victim's testimony remained consistent across multiple statements, while medical evidence showed injuries corroborating her account. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indian Investors Are Buying These Dubai Apartments—Here's Why Binghatti Developers FZE Explore Undo Crucially, DNA evidence linked the accused to the crime, with his profile matching semen stains found on the victim's clothing. A seized condom packet at the scene demonstrated premeditated intent. The main accused was convicted under the Pocso Act, Indian Penal Code sections for kidnapping and sexual assault, and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, as the victim belonged to a Scheduled Caste community. However, the co-accused was acquitted after the court found no evidence of his knowledge or involvement in the crime. During sentencing, the judge pointed out the serious nature of crimes against children and noted that the accused exploited his friendship with the victim. The Rs 20,000 fine will be paid to the victim as compensation, with the case referred to the District Legal Services Authority for additional compensation consideration.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Time of India
Thane court acquits 49-year-old in rape case, questions 10 years gap to file complaint
THANE: A 49-year-old man accused of repeatedly raping a woman over eight years under the pretext of marriage and cheating her of Rs 5 lakh was acquitted by Additional Sessions Judge D.S. Deshmukh. The court observed that the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The accused, a resident of Solapur who was staying at CBD Belapur, faced charges under sections rape cheating and threatening and the case, registered at Kapurbawadi police station in March 2022, involved allegations spanning from July 2012 to March 2020. The complainant, a widow with two children whose husband died in 2007, alleged that she met the accused at her sister's daughter's engagement ceremony in July 2012. According to the FIR, the accused contacted her the next day, met her at Pune railway station, and took her to a lodge where he allegedly raped her after promising marriage and financial support for her children. The woman claimed the accused convinced her to shift to Thane in 2014, promising to help with her children's education. She alleged he continued to exploit her sexually while extracting money over the years - Rs 60,000 for his wife's sarpanch election campaign, Rs 1.5 lakh for purchasing a flat at Kamothe by making her mortgage her gold necklace, and Rs 1.4 lakh for his personal needs. The relationship reportedly soured when the accused began avoiding her calls and eventually blocked her number. When she confronted him at his Belapur residence in February 2022, she alleged that he and his family members abused and pushed her out, prompting her to file the complaint. However, Judge Deshmukh found the prosecution's case fundamentally flawed. The court noted that the woman was a mature adult who voluntarily maintained physical relations with the accused for nearly a decade without raising any objection or informing anyone about the alleged exploitation. The court particularly questioned why the woman waited 10 years to report the alleged crimes if they were indeed against her will. The judge noted that the woman's testimony suggested they were in a consensual live-in relationship rather than a case of repeated rape. Regarding the cheating charges, the court found no documentary evidence to support the woman's claims of financial transactions. The prosecution's case was further weakened by examining only one witness - the complainant herself. Her credibility was significantly undermined during cross-examination when she admitted that she did not oppose going to the lodge room. Following his acquittal, the accused was directed to furnish a fresh personal recognizance bond of Rs 15,000 with one surety for six months.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Time of India
3 acquitted in POCSO case after 8-year trial in Thane
Representative image THANE: The Thane court acquitted three persons in a case of kidnapping, rape, and human trafficking of a 16-year-old girl. Special Judge D.S. Deshmukh delivered the judgment, noting that the acquittal came primarily due to the victim turning hostile during trial proceedings and a complete lack of corroborative evidence to support the prosecution's case. The three accused, including two present in court and one absconding, faced multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code, POCSO Act, and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act following an FIR registered at Wagle Estate Police Station on August 15, 2015. According to the initial complaint filed by the alleged victim's father, the prime accused (currently absconding) allegedly enticed the then-minor girl in August 2015, sexually assaulted her, and later left her with a female accused who allegedly forced her into prostitution involving the third accused. However, the prosecution's case collapsed during the trial when significant discrepancies emerged. Judge Deshmukh noted a crucial inconsistency regarding the victim's age, stating: "… the victim's testimony directly contradicted the prosecution's allegations." The court observed that her testimony indicated she voluntarily went with the absconding accused and married him, even bearing his child. She denied being forced into prostitution by the female accused and rejected claims that the third accused paid for or forced physical relations with her. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The victim's father also failed to support the prosecution's core allegations, the judge noted. "From the evidence of above witnesses, the star witness victim girl not stated anything against the accused. Similarly, her father not stated anything against the accused. There is no corroborative evidence brought by the prosecution on record to hold the accused guilty," Judge Deshmukh concluded, leading to the acquittal of all three. The court's final ruling stated: "As the prosecution has not brought on record any supporting evidence against the accused, they are entitled to acquittal."
