Nagpur, India: The Special Judge for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, RP Pande, sentenced two women to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) on Wednesday. The convicted, Bindo Ganesh Patil alias Bindo Kalkhor (45) and Shero Boralal Kesiya (40), were found guilty of kidnapping a minor girl from Madhya Pradesh and forcing her into prostitution in Nagpur.

The crime dates back six years when the accused, along with several accomplices, abducted a 13-year-old girl from Bhopal railway station. The perpetrators, including Savitri Uchiya, Ranjit Uchiya, Shyam Babu Kalkhor, Renu Ramkumar Kalkhor, Asha Babu Kalkhor, Laila Babu Kalkhor, and Babli Babu Kalkhor, conspired to exploit the minor.

The girl was initially taken to Gwalior by Savitri and Ranjit Uchiya before being brought to Nagpur. There, she was forced into prostitution at the Ganga Jamuna red-light area.

The case got the spotlight, thanks to the vigilance of volunteers from Freedom Firm, an anti-sex trafficking NGO committed to rescuing and rehabilitating minor girls from the commercial sex trade. Acting on their tip-off, Lakadganj Police conducted a sting operation on July 29, 2016. A decoy customer was sent to the brothel, where he paid Rs 500 to Bindo and Shero, who then provided the minor girl. The decoy signaled the police, who immediately raided the establishment and rescued the victim.

Following the rescue, the Lakadganj Police registered a case against the accused under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, and the POCSO Act. A comprehensive chargesheet was filed against Bindo Kalkhor, Shero Kesiya, Asha Babu Kalkhor, Laila Babu Kalkhor, and Babli Babu Kalkhor.

The court found Bindo and Shero guilty of the charges. They were sentenced to 20 years' RI under Section 4 of the POCSO Act, with a fine of Rs 20,000 each. Additionally, for the offences under Sections 366-A and 34 of the IPC, they received five years' RI with a fine of Rs 7,000 each. For offences under Sections 344 and 34 of the IPC, they were sentenced to three years' RI with a fine of Rs 5,000 each. Further, under Sections 3 and 4 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, they were awarded one year of RI with a fine of Rs 1,000 each, and under Sections 6 and 9 of the same Act, seven years' RI with a fine of Rs 5,000 each. All sentences will run concurrently.

The court acquitted Asha Babu Kalkhor, Laila Babu Kalkhor, and Babli Babu Kalkhor due to lack of sufficient evidence. It also directed the Lakadganj Police Station Officer to file a separate charge sheet against the absconding accused.

Additional Public Prosecutor Adv Aasawari Palsodkar represented the state, while Adv DV Patrikar and Adv S V Uchiya served as the defence counsels.

This verdict underscores the commitment of the judiciary to safeguard the rights and dignity of minors, sending a strong message against those involved in such heinous crimes.