What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: On Friday, Uttar Pradesh MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ramdular Gond was sent to jail for 25 years for raping a tribal minor girl in 2014.
The judgement was delivered by a sessions court in Sonbhadra district on Wednesday. Presently, the representative of the Duddhi constituency, Gond risks losing his membership considering the conviction.
It was adjudged by the court, holding the MLA guilty under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (manipulation of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code. Gond has also been charged under specific sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act
The gravity of the charges resulted in a 25-year prison sentence without the possibility of parole for 20 years. Additionally, the court has also imposed a Rs 10 lakh fine on the MLA.
This verdict holds significant legal implications, under the Representation of the People Act, which mandates the disqualification of lawmakers sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more.
Gond’s potential disqualification would be effective “from the date of such conviction” and extend for an additional six years after serving the sentence.
The MLA had been accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl when she was at the field, in the district’s Myorpur village in 2014. Gond’s wife was the pradhan of the village, although the legislator had not risen to his position then.
The hearing had initially commenced in a POCSO court but was later transferred to the MP-MLA court after he was elected a lawmaker.
As the legal proceedings unfolded, Gond’s lawyer appealed to the court for leniency, assuring that Gond would responsibly support the survivor’s family.
Following the verdict, the survivor’s family members have illustrated immense satisfaction with the judgement, illustrating that justice had been served.
