STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Vs. KRUPAL MAHARAJ @ RAMKRUPALU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) All the criminal appeals filed by the appellant/State challenging the judgment of acquittal of accused/Krupali Maharaj and one other.

(2.) The case of the prosecution against the respondents in all criminal appeals in short, is as under - Accused Krupali Maharaj was delivering discourses at various programmes. The parents of victims (XYZ) were the followaers of Krupalu Maharaj. Victim girls used to attend the programmes of Krupalu Maharaj. Other accused abetted the victim girls to have close contact with Krupalu Maharaj. Accused Krupalu Maharaj (who is now dead), did sexual intercourse with all the victims in the respective cases. Two victims (XY) ran away from their parents' house and went to Mangadh at the Ashram of deceased/accused/Krupalu Maharaj. The parents of victims came to know that their daughters were raped/sexually abused by deceased/accused/ Krupalu Maharaj. Crimes were registered against the accused persons on the report of respective parents of victims. Victims were examined by Medical Officer. After completing investigation, charge-sheets were filed before the JMFC, who, in turn, committed them to the Court of Session, Nagpur. Charges were framed against the accused in all the respective sessions cases. The prosecution examined material witnesses. After conclusion of the trial, the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Nagpur acquitted the respective accused in all the sessions cases. Hence, the appeals are filed by the State challenging the judgment of acquittal.

(3.) Heard Shri S.M. Ghodeswar, learned APP appearing on behalf of the appellant/State and Shri A.S. Manohar, learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the respective respondents.