Visually impaired woman identifies jeep,rapists jailed

Two persons who had raped a visually impaired woman were sentenced to 10 years jail term after she managed to recall details.

Two persons who had raped a visually impaired woman were sentenced to 10 years jail term here on Tuesday after she managed to recall details of their vehicle and her friend,also visually impaired,identified the two based on their voice.

Maruti Suresh Pawale (30) and Nitin Vitthal Pawale (32) were accused of raping the 48-year-old in 2008 while she was travelling from Shaniwarwada to her village near Khadakwasla with acquaintance Pravin Wankhede. The Pawales were also fined Rs 5,000 each,and will be jailed for six more months if they fail to pay the same.

The woman and Wankhede had gone to collect charity given by an institution for blind persons when they missed the return bus to their village and got into a jeep ferrying passengers. When the other passengers had got off,Nitin allegedly told the two that their village had arrived and asked them to get down.

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However,they realised that the road was unfamiliar. When they protested,the Pawales allegedly pinned Wankhede down and took turns raping the woman in a nearby ditch.

Later they put the two back in the jeep and dropped them near their village.

Being blind,we have a habit to touch and feel the place where we sit. Accordingly,we had noticed that the seat of that vehicle was torn and big iron rods were placed underneath, the victim testified. The observation came in handy while identifying the vehicle.

Additional Public Prosecutor Sunil More said Wankhede had identified the Pawales based on their voice from 15 other suspects.