Mumbai man gets 30 years in jail for raping, killing 12-year-old girl in 2014

On January 16, 2014, the victim, a Class 6 student of a Zilla Parishad school in Kaman was returning home when the accused took her to an isolated place and raped her.

A 24-year-old convict was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Vasai in 2014.

Locals found her body the next day and informed the police. (HT File/Representational Image)

In a rare judgement, MP Divate, additional sessions judge, Vasai, sentenced Rahul Gajanan Tumbada to minimum 30 years life imprisonment.

On January 16, 2014, the victim, a Class 6 student of a Zilla Parishad school in Kaman was returning home when, Tumbada offered her a lift. Since he was known to her, she agreed. However, instead of taking her home, he took her to a desolate spot, raped her and then strangled her to death.

Locals found her body the next day and informed the police. She also had head and anogenital injuries.

“We questioned around 21 witnesses and also conducted DNA tests. The accused was arrested under Section 376 (2) (rape), and 302 (murder) of the IPC,” said Ujwala Moholkar, public prosecutor, Vasai.

Tumbada was also asked to pay a fine of Rs10,000, she said.

“Judge Divate directed the district legal services authority to give a suitable compensation to the parents of the minor,” Moholkar said.