Special Correspondent
Pune: A district sessions court has sentenced a 26-year-old man to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl after breaking into her home. The accused, identified as Navnath Ashok Kharade (age 26, resident of Uruli Kanchan, originally from Bhogewadi, Taluka Mhada, District Solapur), was convicted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on December 3, 2017, in the Tupe settlement area of Uruli Kanchan. Kharade forcibly entered the victim’s home while she was washing utensils, physically assaulted her, and then sexually abused her against her will. The victim was a minor at the time of the crime.
A case was registered at the Loni Kalbhor police station under relevant sections of the IPC and POCSO Act. The investigation was led by Assistant Police Inspector Shrikant Ingawale, who filed the charge sheet within the stipulated time frame.
The Shivajinagar District and Sessions Court, while delivering the verdict, sentenced Kharade to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹25,000. The court emphasized the gravity of the crime and the need for stringent punishment in cases involving sexual violence against minors.
In recognition of their efforts in the case, Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr. Rajkumar Shinde announced a reward of ₹10,000 each to Police Officer Lalita Kanwade, who handled court proceedings, and investigating officer Shrikant Ingawale.
