Lucknow. Former cabinet minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court of MP-MLA for gang rape. The special court has also sentenced two of Gayatri’s associate accused Ashish Shukla and Lekhpal Ashok Tiwari to life imprisonment in this case. A fine of two lakh each has also been imposed on the three accused including Gayatri. Special Judge Pawan Kumar Rai has said that all the fine amount will be given to the minor daughter of the victim. Because in this case the conduct of the victim was not such that she should be paid the fine. His eldest daughter has also been declared a traitor. In such a situation, his younger daughter is actually the victim. which is in need of rehabilitation. Therefore, the entire amount of fine will be given to him only.
On Wednesday, the special judge had convicted these three accused under section 376D of the IPC and section 5G/6 of the POCSO Act. But according to the provisions of the POCSO Act, the section under which there will be more punishment, the accused will be punished with the same section. Therefore, he sentenced the accused to life imprisonment for the gang rape. Because before the year 2019, under section 5G/6 of POCSO, there was a provision of punishment from 10 years to life imprisonment. Whereas this case is from the year 2017.
Being a minister, Gayatri’s responsibility was to serve the public, but misused her position.
The special judge, in its 72-page judgment, said that the accused took advantage of the vulnerable situation of a helpless woman whose husband had deserted her 14 years ago. He was offered a mining lease. Called him to Lucknow. Then he and his minor girl were also gang-raped. In this case the seriousness of the crime increases. Whereas being a minister it was the responsibility of the accused Gayatri Prasad Prajapati to serve the public. But he misused his position.
During the hearing on the point of punishment on Friday, the three accused, including Gayatri, were present in the court from jail. The prosecution demanded maximum punishment for the accused. It was argued that their crime was very serious. Which is going to shake the conscience of any person.
On the other hand, the minimum punishment was demanded by the defense side. It was told on behalf of Gayatri that he is about 60 years old. He is suffering from serious diseases like kidney and liver etc. Of his five children, only one is married. He has yet to marry off his two daughters as well. He has been in jail continuously since 2017. He has no criminal history. This is his first offense. On behalf of the accused Ashok Tiwari, it was said that the entire responsibility of his family is on him. Whereas it was argued on behalf of accused Ashish Shukla that he is still unmarried. Apart from his aged father, there are two sisters in his family. He is responsible for their marriage.
This is the whole matter: On February 18, 2017, on the orders of the Supreme Court, a case was registered against Gayatri Prasad Prajapati and other six accused in the police station Gautampalli under gang rape, threat to life and POCSO Act. The Supreme Court had given this order on the application of the victim. The victim had accused Gayatri Prajapati and her associates of forcibly having physical relations with her minor daughter, accusing her of gangrape.
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