HIMATBHAI UKABHAI ODKIYA Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Court on 18.06.2020 passed the following order which deserves reproduction at the beginning: -

(2.) Today, we have the corpus before us presented through video Conferencing arranged at District Court Amreli with Mr. Prashant Bhrambhatt, learned Principal District Judge, Amreli along with Mr. Roy, the Superintendent of Police, Amreli. We have heard learned advocate Mr. Karia appearing for respondent no.8, learned advocate Mr. Rathin Raval appearing for respondent no.7 and Mr. Manan Mehta, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the State.

(3.) On an inquiry from the Court, Mr. Roy, the Superintendent of Police, has submitted that the investigation is going on full-fledged. The girl is 14 years of age and her statement has been recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure as is the requirement under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). She is housed at the Mahila Vikash Mandal, Amreli. He personally visited the same and has ensured that she has given safe environment and also healthy and nourishing diet to keep her body and mind both healthy. Her medical check-up has also been done revealing serious offences against her person alleged to have been committed the Respondent no.6 and others in connivance of each other and therefore, the offence under Section 376 also has been added. As submitted to us on the last occasion, he reiterated the criminal antecedents of respondent no.6 who also has been arrested. According to him, there are many more people who have assisted him in getting the girl abducted and allegedly exploited.