Pocso convict who escaped custody sentenced to 20 years

Vadodara: A man who had briefly escaped police custody earlier this week has been convicted by a court for molesting a minor girl and sentenced to 20 years in jail along with a fine of Rs 50,000.The convict, Ahish Rokde, a resident of Sayajigunj, was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act in 2020 for molesting a minor when she had stepped out to fetch water. The victim later informed her family, following which a complaint was lodged with Sayajigunj police.Rokde was produced before a court in Diwalipura for a hearing on April 29. During the proceedings, he sought permission to use the washroom and managed to escape after diverting the attention of police personnel.A manhunt was launched, and he was arrested by the crime branch from Maharashtra two days later.