Bhopal: A Special Court in Bhopal on Monday, July 28, 2025, sentenced Gauri Shankar, also known as Abhishek, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for abducting and raping a 12-year-old girl. The court also ordered a compensation of Rs 100,000 for the victim.
Divisional Public Relations Officer Manoj Tripathi reported that the Thirteenth Additional Sessions Judge/Special Judge (POCSO Act) found Gauri Shankar guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In addition to the 20-year sentence for offenses under the POCSO Act, he received five years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 1,000 fine under IPC Section 366 for abduction.
The incident dates back to April 13, 2021, when the victim’s mother reported her 12-year-old daughter missing from their home in the Bagsewania police station area. Two days later, on April 15, 2021, the girl was found at BHEL Sangam, Bhopal. She then revealed that Gauri Shankar, whom she had known for about a week, had lured her to his home in Mandideep under the pretext of taking her sightseeing. There, he allegedly promised to marry her and repeatedly sexually assaulted her against her will.
Based on her statement, police registered a case and, after a thorough investigation, presented the evidence to the court. Special Public Prosecutors Smt. Lakshmi Kasav and Shri Manoj Tripathi represented the state, leading to the conviction based on compelling arguments, evidence, and documents.
