Vapi man gets sentenced to death for sexual assault and murder of 6-year-old girl

A Vapi court has sentenced Razak Subhan Khan to death for kidnapping, sexually assaulting and murdering a six-year-old girl from Dungra in October 2023. The Additional Sessions Court also ordered payment of ₹17 lakh as compensation to the child’s family.

Case that sparked community outrage

The victim, a six-year-old from a Muslim family in Dungra Faliya, was reported missing before her mutilated body was found along the Damanganga river in Karvad village. The incident triggered shock and anger across the community.

An intensive investigation was launched immediately. CCTV footage from several locations showed a man leaving with the child. Multiple police teams, aided by local residents, traced and arrested the accused in the Karvad area. According to investigators, he confessed during interrogation to abducting, assaulting and killing her.

Prosecution’s evidence and judgement

Government prosecutor Nayan Sukhadiwala presented statements from the victim’s family, medical professionals and witnesses, supported by technical and forensic evidence. Special POCSO Court Judge H N Vakil reviewed the material and, in a nearly 500-page judgement, convicted Khan and awarded the death penalty. The court also directed authorities to ensure that ₹17 lakh is given to the family as compensation.

Rapid police action and detailed chargesheet

Valsad district police arrested the accused within hours of the crime. Under then-PI Mayur Patel of Dungra Police, teams collected extensive evidence, including witness statements, circumstantial and technical findings, medical and forensic reports, reconstruction panchanama, face-recognition inputs, gait analysis and more. The police compiled a 700-page chargesheet and submitted it within 19 days.

Second POCSO death sentence in district

This is the second death penalty awarded under the POCSO Act in Valsad district. In 2010, the Vapi Special POCSO Court sentenced Pradip alias Rajesh Rameshwar Gupta to death for the sexual assault and murder of a nine-year-old girl, following detailed arguments by DGP Anil Tripathi.

Large search operation during probe

During the investigation phase, police conducted a large-scale search to prevent the accused from escaping. Five checkposts were set up across the Dungra region for strict checking, with more than 150 police personnel deployed. Over 500 local residents also assisted in the operation.