Rajkot court sentences man to life imprisonment for assault and criminal threat

A court in Rajkot has convicted a 35-year-old man, Praful Solanki, sentencing him to rigorous life imprisonment for rape and criminal intimidation.   

The incident dates back to January 28, 2020, near the Dondi riverbank in Padadhari, Rajkot district. The victim, a married homemaker who earns her living by gathering waste, was alone, preparing to bathe after washing clothes, when the accused ambushed her from behind.

Solanki threatened to defame her character to her husband before sexually assaulting her against her will. The victim’s minor son witnessed the assault, triggering the accused to flee the scene.

While the defense argued that the relationship was consensual and alleged a prior love affair, they failed to present any corroborative evidence. Conversely, the prosecution built an airtight case. Critical Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports confirmed that the DNA profile of the semen samples recovered from the victim’s clothing matched Solanki’s blood group.  

Along with life imprisonment and a ₹10,000 fine under Section 376 of the IPC, the court awarded Solanki seven years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 506(2). The court also recommended proper compensation for the victim under the State's Victim Compensation Scheme.