Nagpur, August 7, 2024– The Additional Sessions Court, presided over by Judge R.R. Bhosale, sentenced two men to rigorous imprisonment for the sexual exploitation of a minor girl. Nikhil Rajesh Dakah, 20, was sentenced to 22 years, and Pritish Premdas Mahurle, 24, was sentenced to 23 years.

The prosecution presented evidence that Nikhil Dakah, a resident of Gaddigodam, sexually exploited a 15-year-old girl from the Sadar area at multiple locations between March 30, 2018, and May 6, 2019. Pritish Mahurle, a resident of Wanadongri, also assaulted the victim at her maternal aunt's house.

Following the victim's complaint, the Sadar Police registered a case against the accused under Sections 376(2)(j)(n) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Sections 4 and 5(1)(n) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The police arrested Nikhil and Pritish on May 29, 2019. It was noted that Pritish was also implicated in a separate murder case.

Assistant Police Inspector Ashwini Wankhede led the investigation and filed the chargesheet in court. The court found both men guilty of the charges. Nikhil was sentenced to 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000. Pritish received a 23-year sentence and was also fined Rs 50,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional year of imprisonment for each.

Additional Public Prosecutor Adv Deepika Gawali represented the state in this case.