Constable gets RI

Ahmedabad, Aug 31: Additional city sessions judge M B Masariya has sentenced Ranjitsinh Roopsinh Patel, a constable, to 13 years8217; rigorous imprisonment for raping his minor daughter which also led his wife to commit suicide. He has also been directed to pay a fine of Rs 15,000 or undergo additional imprisonment for 15 months.

Patel8217;s second wife Madhuben set herself ablaze by dousing kerosene on the night of March 6, 1998. In her dying declaration she stated that for the past four months, her husband had been coming home in an inebriated state and raping his minor daughter from the first wife. She said he used to beat her up when she protested.

According to Madhuben, on that fateful night Patel, as usual, came home in an inebriated state and proceeded towards his daughter. When she tried to object, he beat her up. Fed up of the mental and physical torture she took the extreme step, Madhuben stated. She died on March 8, 1998.

The Court, in its order, stated Patel had failed as a husband, father and a constable and, therefore, he should be awarded maximum punishment to set an example before society. It said it was the constable8217;s duty to protect law, but he had become a tormentor instead of being a protector by consuming liquor and misbehaving with his daughter.