Ahmedabad: Migrant worker gets 20 years years imprisonment for baby's rape

Ravindra Sahu, who raped a 14-month-old child, and subsequently triggered large scale violence against migrants, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on Thursday by a court in Himmatnagar, Sabarkantha. The Bihar native was convicted of the heinous crime by judge KB Gujarathi of the fast track court.

"He has been convicted for rape of a minor below 12 years of age, kidnapping, and trespassing," said Special public prosecutor RN Pandya. A fine of Rs 5,000 was also imposed.

The rape had taken place in Sabarkantha on September 28, 2018. Though Sahu was arrested the same day, the crime triggered large scale violence against migrant workers, especially those from north India, across the state.

Incidents targeting migrants were reported in Ahmedabad, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Patan and Surendranagar, among other places. More than 60 such cases were reported, while over 500 people were arrested. The violence sparked a mass exodus of migrants with around 70,000 people leaving the state within a week. A majority of them returned within a few weeks.

The Exodus

The rape took place in Sabarkantha in September 2018 and sparked large scale violence against migrant workers. Subsequently, about 7,000 workers left Gujarat within a week.