Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Vimlesh alias Batra has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for the rape of a minor girl. The Honorable Third District and Sessions Judge Itarsi, Sushila Verma, delivered the verdict on March 25, 2024, finding him guilty under multiple sections of BNS and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The case stemmed from a report filed on October 8, 2021, by the victim's father, stating his minor daughter had gone missing. Investigations revealed Vimlesh had lured and kidnapped the girl.

She was later recovered from Naval village, where she disclosed that Vimlesh had taken her to a secluded area under the pretense of marriage and sexually assaulted her. Despite the victim retracting her initial statement in court, Additional District Prosecution Officer H.S. Yadav successfully presented evidence, including statements from school teachers, police officials, and crucial DNA test results from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), proving the victim's minority and the sexual assault.

Vimlesh received sentences of 7 years under section 363 IPC, 10 years under section 366 IPC, 10 years under section 376(2)(N) IPC, and 20 years under sections 5/6 of the POCSO Act, along with fines totaling Rs. 10,000.