Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Police Launch Manhunt for Parole Absconder Convicted Under POCSO Act for Sexual Assault of a 6-Year-Old
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar/Pune, 19th December 2024: A prisoner serving time in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Jail was granted parole to attend a family member’s wedding. However, after the allotted parole period, the inmate failed to return to prison. Shockingly, he was serving a 20-year sentence for an offense under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act of 2012 for raping a six-year-old girl. After five months of his absence, the jail administration filed a complaint with the Pimpri Chinchwad Police.
Jail Guard Subhash Sheshrao Ingale reported the incident to the Ravet Police Station, where a case was registered against Sachin Sanjay Giri under BNS Section 262 (resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension). Giri had been sentenced under the POCSO Act for sexually assaulting a minor.
According to police reports, Sachin Giri was serving his term at Harsul Central Jail in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for a sexual offense against a minor. On 18th July, he was granted a four-day parole to attend a wedding in Ravet, Pimpri Chinchwad. His parole was extended for a few days, and he was expected to return to prison on 25th July. However, he failed to do so, leading to the registration of a case at the Ravet Police Station. Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Potghan is currently investigating the matter.
On 13th January 2020, Giri lured a six-year-old girl while she was playing by offering her chocolates and other edibles. Taking advantage of her, he led her to a secluded place and raped her. A case of this heinous crime was registered at Ahmedpur Police Station under the Latur Force. Police Sub-Inspector Nagrao Jadhav investigated the case, and a Special Judge from the Bombay High Court found Giri guilty and sentenced him. Sachin Giri was convicted under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, receiving a sentence of 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹25,000. Failure to pay the fine results in an additional two years of imprisonment.
Senior Police Inspector Nitin Phatangare, in charge of the Ravet Police Station, stated, “A convict named Sachin Giri was on parole in July for a relative’s wedding in the Ravet area. A case has been registered against him for not returning to jail even after the expiry of his parole period. We are currently searching for him.”
What Is Parole and Why Is It Granted?
Parole is a temporary release granted to inmates to handle emergencies, maintain family connections, or help them adjust to society. It is often granted for compassionate or medical reasons. Common types of parole include regular parole, which is given for planned events like family functions, and emergency parole, granted for urgent situations such as a family member’s illness or death. If an inmate breaks the rules of parole, they are sent back to prison, and future parole requests may be denied. Breaking parole can also lead to additional punishment, such as a longer sentence or new legal charges, depending on the violation.
