EMPEROR Vs. SHANKAR NARAYAN GOSAVI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a reference by the District Magistrate of Satara asking us to enhance the sentences under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code on the three accused, Shankar, Dattatraya and Dnyanu.

(2.) On the evidence the facts are clear. The three accused conspired to kidnap a minor girl aged thirteen from the custody of her husband. Accused Nos. 1 and 2 with two servants waited outside the village and Accused No. 3, who had most acquaintance with the girl, went to her with a false message and took her to the other accused outside the village. She was then ordered to take off her ornaments and to accompany the accused to the village of Mayani; and when she refused, they threatened to beat her and ultimately compelled her to go to that village. She remained there for twelve days before her husband obtained news and brought her back. In the interval Accused Nos. 1 and 2 purchased some musical instruments and brought them. There is no evidence that she was violated. It is clear that at the least the common object was that she should join a company of dancing Gondhlis; for practical purposes the difference, at least after some time, would not be very great. A girl of thirteen or fourteen separated from her parents and her husband and going about with strangers as a Gondhli would in all certainty become a loose character.

(3.) On these facts we agree with the learned District Magistrate that the sentence of one day's rigorous imprisonment passed on each of the accused with a fine of Rs. 50 in the case of Accused Nos. 1 and 2 and of Rs. 100 in the case of Accused No. 3 are entirely inadequate. We sea no great difference between the criminality of each of the accused. The only thing to be said in their favour is that they are all about twenty years old and that no attempt on the girl's chastity appears actually to have been made. In addition to the sentence undergone and the fine, we inpose a sentence in the case of each of the accused of six months rigorous imprisonment. Marten, J.