MARGAO: South Goa Additional Sessions Judge Sherin Paul has fixed for March 18 the framing of charges against Betul-based model Siddesh Dashrath Juvekar, who is facing trial for allegedly raping and cheating a girl from Navelim.
As directed by the High Court, Juvekar and his lawyer appeared before Judge Paul on Monday and were directed to furnish a surety of Rs 25,000. Adv Aires Rodrigues, who is representing the victim, moved an application to assist the prosecution.
It may be recalled that Juvekar, on November 13, 2013, was charge-sheeted by the Colva Police under Sections 376 and 420 of IPC. He was accused of repeatedly raping the victim under the pretext of marrying her and cheating her of Rs 5 lakh by taking money from her under the pretext of starting a business.
However, on July 4, 2014, Juvekar was discharged by the South Goa Additional Sessions Judge without a trial. The victim, through a criminal writ petition, moved the High Court against the order discharging Juvekar.
Allowing the victim’s petition while quashing the District Judge’s order last month, Justice S B Shukre of the Bombay High Court at Goa directed Juvekar to appear before the Margao Sessions Court and face the trial for his alleged crimes.
Justice Shukre, in his order, has observed that the Additional Sessions Judge had committed an illegality by discharging the accused in disregard of the well-settled principles of law, and that such an order could not stand the scrutiny of law.
Incidentally, Juvekar, who has been pursuing a career in modelling, had represented Goa and was the first runner up at the ‘Mr India Man Hunt’ contest organised by Sky Walk Entertainment in New Delhi last year.
