Convict escapes from Gandhinagar court moments after being sentenced to 20 years in prison

Finding a lax situation, a convict sentenced to 20 years in prison escaped the Gandhinagar Special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) Court soon after the verdict was announced.

The case relating to his crime was registered at Gandhinagar Infocity Police Station. The court found accused Lala Dangi, originally from Dahod and working as a labourer in Dholakuva, guilty of repeatedly raping a minor girl (aged 15 years and 1 month at the time of the incident), despite knowing she was underage.

The judge ordered 20 years of rigorous imprisonment under IPC Section 376 and POCSO Act Section 4, along with fines totalling ₹30,000. 

Additional punishments include:

–1 year under IPC Section 363 + ₹10,000 fine (15 days simple imprisonment if fine unpaid).

–3 years under IPC Section 366 + ₹10,000 fine (15 days simple imprisonment if fine unpaid).

20 years under IPC Section 376 & POCSO Act Section 4 + ₹10,000 fine (1 year simple imprisonment if fine unpaid).

The court also ordered the District Legal Services Authority to pay ₹4 lakh compensation to the survivor.

However, at around 1.30 pm, just after hearing the 20-year sentence, Lala jumped from the court’s dock and fled. Police chased him but he managed to escape outside the court premises.

Security concerns have been raised, especially since in September last year, another armed accused had entered the Gandhinagar court campus. Since then, police presence at the court gates had been increased, with a sub-inspector and other officers stationed for security. Despite this, the convict managed to flee.

Police have launched an operation to track and arrest him.