AHMEDABAD: A self-defence coach, entrusted with teaching young students martial arts, has been arrested for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl he was supposed to be training.
The crime became apparent when the girl was found to be eight months pregnant, police officers said on Friday.
Sanjay Vaghela, who is about 25 years old, worked part-time at a school in Gandhinagar as a martial arts coach. He had earlier been employed in Ahmedabad, where he trained the victim in karate. Under the cover of training, he groomed the minor into a relationship and sexually abused her.
Eight months ago, Vaghela took the victims to Kolvada near Gandhinagar under the guise of a competition, where he first raped her. He later threatened her into staying silent and the girl did not reveal the offence to her parents.
As time passed, her family noticed physical changes and took her to hospital, where she was found to be eight months pregnant. The girl came clean and narrated her ordeal. Her parents filed a complaint with Pethapur police.
After the revelation, Pethapur police registered a case for rape under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act against Vaghela.
The investigation revealed that the accused maintained close contact with the girl on the pretext of preparing her for school-level tournaments. He exploited his position of trust, manipulating her emotionally and assaulting her, a police officer said. The accused has been taken into custody.
KEY HIGHLIGHT
- Sanjay Vaghela, a 25-year-old self-defence coach, has been arrested for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl he was training.
- The crime came to light when the victim was discovered to be eight months pregnant, prompting an investigation by police.
- Vaghela is accused of grooming the minor during martial arts training before sexually abusing her under the pretext of taking her to a competition.
- The victim's parents filed a complaint with Pethapur police after noticing physical changes in their daughter, leading to the revelation of the abuse.
- Authorities have charged Sanjay Vaghela with rape under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)Check out the
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