Wednesday, May 18 2005 20:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Surat: A man was sentenced to death today (May 18, 2005) for abduction, rape and murder of a nine-year old girl of an apartment where he was employed as a watchman in 1999.

According to prosecution, the accused, Ramesh Rathod was employed as a watchman at an apartment and had befriended the girl and her family.

He gradually gained the confidence of the family and the girl used to spend a lot of time with Rathod.

Taking advantage of this, Rathod kidnapped the girl, raped her and later killed her on December 17, 1999.

The body of the girl was later recovered from the city outskirts at Pal octroi point by police.

Delivering the order, Joint District and Sessions Judge, J S Narielwala of a fast-track court said such a heinous crime should not be taken lightly and the accused should be punished strictly as per the law.