Five Convicted in 2024 Bhayli Gang Rape Case Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

Five men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the gang rape of a 16‑year‑old girl during Navratri celebrations in Bhayli, a village in Gujarat’s Vadodara district. The verdict was delivered by a Vadodara special court on Monday, marking the end of a trial that began after the victim was assaulted on the second night of Navratri in 2024.

The court’s ruling means the five convicts—Munna Abbas Banjara, Mumtaz alias Aftab Banjara, Shahrukh Banjara, Saif Ali Banjara and Ajmal Banjara—will remain in custody for the rest of their lives. In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered the men to pay ₹10 lakh in compensation to the victim and imposed a collective fine of ₹1 lakh under various sections of the law.

The prosecution had sought either the death penalty or life imprisonment for the men, citing the severity of the offence. Defence lawyers argued for a minimum punishment, noting that the accused were married and had families. The prosecution countered that the same family circumstances existed at the time of the crime and that a 20‑year sentence would be insufficient, given the gravity of gang rape under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The case was heard by the Vadodara POCSO court, which convicted the five men on August 20. The incident occurred on October 4, 2024, when the victim, returning from a garba event with a friend, was intercepted by the men on motorcycles at a secluded spot in Bhayli. The accused allegedly took the keys of her two‑wheeler, threatened to inform her family, and then assaulted and threatened her before gang‑raping her.

During the trial, the prosecution examined 45 witnesses and presented CCTV footage, medical reports, and other evidence to establish the sequence of events. The five men, who live in the Tandalja area and work as labourers, were found guilty of the crime under the POCSO Act and related statutes.

The decision reflects the court’s emphasis on the seriousness of sexual violence against minors and its commitment to delivering justice in high‑profile cases. The victim’s family has expressed relief that the court’s verdict brings a measure of closure to a traumatic event that shook the local community during a festive period.

The case has drawn attention to the need for stronger protective measures for children during public celebrations and has prompted calls from local officials for increased security and community awareness programs.

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