Pune: A sessions court in Pune has sentenced two men to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for attempting to murder a young man with a sickle in the Hadapsar area in 2018. The attack was motivated by suspicion that the victim and his friend were harassing a female relative of one of the accused.
Court Verdict and Charges
Additional Sessions Judge Sagar Ramesh Agrawal, on May 7, convicted Amol Balasaheb Borkar (36) and Sagar Vijay Kale (30) under Indian Penal Code Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt). However, the court acquitted them of charges under Sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 506 (criminal intimidation), and provisions of the Arms Act.
Incident Details
According to public prosecutor Namdeo Taralgatti, the incident occurred on June 25, 2018, in the Kalepadal area of Hadapsar. The accused, Amol Borkar, suspected that the victim, Pratik Sapkal, and his friend Sumit Rathod, both in their early 20s at the time, were harassing his cousin when they passed near her house on a motorcycle. This suspicion led to an ongoing dispute.
On the day of the incident, the accused allegedly intercepted Sumit near Nirmal Township while carrying sharp weapons. Sumit managed to escape, leaving behind his motorcycle, which the duo allegedly set on fire. Later that night, Pratik was taken to an isolated ground near the Gliding Centre in Hadapsar, where he was assaulted with a sickle.
Injuries and Court Observations
The court noted that the injuries caused skull fractures and brain injuries. Rejecting the plea for leniency, the judge stated, "I do not find a single mitigating circumstances to take or show leniency… It is well settled legal position as to sentencing policy that sentence should be deterrent and an eye opener as well as condemning feelings of the injured and his family."
Fine and Compensation
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on each accused. It directed that Rs 80,000 from the recovered fine amount be paid to the victim as compensation.
This judgment serves as a strong message against violent crimes and the importance of upholding the rule of law.
