Vashi man gets death for rape and murder of minor in fast-track trial

THANE/NAVI MUMBAI: A 53-year-old Vashi resident, DattatrayRokade, was on Friday sentenced to death for raping and killing his five-year-old neighbour on January 22. This is one of the fastest convictions under the newly enacted Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in the state. The trial was completed within 45 days. Judge Prakash Mali of the special court set up in Thane under the Act said the case fell in the "rarest of rare" category and warranted death penalty as the life of a girl was taken in a most cruel manner. Rokade's son was the main witness and helped nail him, said...