Thane: A 26-year-old handicapped man from Navi Mumbai was today found guilty of trying to kill a 13-year-old girl in 2008 and sentenced to seven-year rigorous imprisonment by a local court.
Thane Additional Sessions Judge A S Waghwase pronounced the quantum of sentence after finding Navnath Eknath Gaikwad guilty of charges under relevant sections of the IPC.
The incident dates back to January 18, 2008 when Eknath took the girl to a place near Kopri Bridge in Koparkhairne (near Vashi) while teaching her how to cycle.
The girl, a school student, used to learn cycling from Eknath and her family used to tease him calling "Langdya" as he had a limp in a leg.
Annoyed over constant teasing, Eknath on that day allegedly slapped the girl, pushed her from near Kopri bridge leaving her severely injured.
The court tried the accused for various offences, including attempt to murder, based on investigations carried out by senior police inspector M H More of APMC Police station in Navi Mumbai.
The court observed that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt the charges against Eknath. It also relied on the deposition of the victim to convict Eknath.
