Swift Action, Strong Verdicts: Gujarat’s Crackdown on Sexual Crimes
In a rare and unprecedented move, Gujarat courts delivered seven life sentences in a single day under the POCSO Act, ensuring justice for survivors of heinous crimes. Courts in Amreli, Vadodara, and Rajkot handed down the verdicts on February 25, 2025, a result of the state’s aggressive stance on crimes against women and children.
What makes this development stand out is the speed of investigation and prosecution. In Amreli, chargesheets were filed within 17 days in two cases, while in a third case, the accused was arrested on the same day. Rajkot city police completed a rape and murder case chargesheet in just 40 days, ensuring a strong case in court. Rajkot rural police apprehended an accused on the day of the crime in Patanvav and filed a chargesheet in the Bhayavadar case within seven days—a pace rarely seen in the Indian judicial system.
Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s directives, law enforcement has been instructed to prioritize victim care and ensure airtight cases against perpetrators. With 947 judgments in POCSO cases in the past three years, including 574 life sentences and 11 death penalties, Gujarat is setting a precedent for swift justice.
Will other states follow suit ?
