Pune: A special court has handed down a sentence of ten years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on an egg vendor found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor. Special Judge D. P. Rageet, highlighting the mental trauma suffered by the victim, convicted the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. The court ordered that the fine be awarded to the victim.
The convicted individual, 35-year-old Vijay Mahadev Gawade from Betwade, Daund, was charged following a complaint filed by a 17-year-old boy. The offense occurred on March 25, 2017, inside the toilet of the ST station near Pune Railway Station. Gawade, who operated an egg cart around Pune station, allegedly took the victim—who used to help by filling water in the handcarts—to the toilet where the assaults took place three times.
The Bundgarden Police Station registered the case, and then assistant inspector Satish Pawar led the investigation, resulting in Gawade’s arrest and subsequent charge sheet filing.
The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutors Sunil More and Leena Pathak, presented seven witnesses during the trial. Evidence such as the victim’s school dropout certificate, testimony from the school principal, and medical examinations from Sassoon Hospital established the victim’s minor status. Medical officers testified about the victim’s mental trauma, confirming treatment at Sassoon Hospital and Yerwada Psychiatric Hospital.
Strong evidence was provided by the victim’s testimony along with other witnesses. Prosecutor Sunil More emphasized the heinous nature of the crime, urging the court to impose a strict sentence. After considering arguments from both sides, the court delivered its verdict. Assistant Inspector Gopika Oval supported the proceedings in court.
