X: @the_news_21
In a significant ruling, a Sonbhadra court has handed a 25-year jail term to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ramdular Gond for the rape of a minor girl dating back to 2014. Gond, representing the Duddhi seat in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, now confronts the potential loss of his assembly membership following this conviction.
The Representation of the People Act stipulates that any lawmaker sentenced to two or more years of imprisonment faces disqualification from the date of conviction, with an additional six-year disqualification period post-serving the sentence.
During the proceedings at the MP-MLA court, presided over by additional district judge (I) Ahsanullah Khan, Gond was found guilty under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (related to tampering with evidence and providing false information), along with sections of the Pocso Act on December 13.
The court pronounced a 25-year imprisonment, comprising 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, for Gond. Additionally, a hefty ₹10 lakh fine was imposed on the MLA, as confirmed by the rape survivor’s counsel, Vikas Shakya, while addressing the media.
This ruling not only reflects the severity of the crime but also underscores the legal repercussions for elected officials found guilty of such offenses. Gond’s sentencing marks a critical moment in the pursuit of justice for the survivor and serves as a stern reminder of accountability within the political sphere.
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