Palghar man sentenced to 20 yrs in prison for sexually assaulting minor

A Palghar court sentenced 41-year-old Madhu Dharma Govari to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in 2020. The court rejected the defence's 'crowded locality' argument, citing bystander apathy. Forensic evidence, including semen stains, corroborated the victim's testimony. Govari was fined ₹30,000, directed to the victim for rehabilitation.