Woman seeks bail for minor daughter’s alleged rapist

Vadodara: A 16-year-old girl’s mother living in Gotri has decided to get her daughter married to her alleged abductor and rapist. It may sound appalling as the same woman had lodged the complaint at Laxmipura police station when her girl had eloped with the 20-year-old youth to get married.
The girl’s mother conveyed her decision to a sessions court through an affidavit when the accused Dharmesh Solanki’s bail plea was to be heard. The affidavit, however, did not help Solanki, as his bail plea was rejected on Tuesday.
Solanki, who lives in Gotri, was charged with kidnapping, rape and sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act as he had eloped with is under-age girlfriend in March. Following the police complaint by the girl’s mother, Solanki was arrested on April 4.
Currently in Vadodara Central Jail, Solanki sought bail on June 16. “After we applied for bail, the girl’s mother and my client’s mother reached an agreement and they decided to get them married when she reaches the legal age,” said Solanki’s advocate Jayesh Thakkar.
During the bail hearing, the investigating officer submitted an affidavit opposing Solanki’s bail saying that he had committed a serious offence. But the complainant – girl’s mother – too filed an affidavit through her advocate requesting the court that Solanki be given bail as she has decided to get her daughter married to him. She also stated that she has reached a settlement according to which Solanki will not harass her daughter.
The court of additional sessions judge GD Pasi observed that even if the complainant makes an affidavit, it does not lessen the gravity of the crime committed by the accused. “Since the trial in the case is pending, it won’t be just to release the accused on bail,” the court stated.
Thakkar said that he will be appealing against the order in the Gujarat high court.