Rape accused, friend commit suicide in court premises

An accused in an alleged rape case committed suicide along with his friend in court premises at Akola before the court's verdict in the case.

Shailesh Uttam Gopkar (26) was facing offences of criminal assault under section 363, 376 of the Indian Penal Code for the alleged henious crime at Hatgaon village in Akola district on March 16, 2004.

Gopkar, accompanied by his distant maternal uncle and friend Sharad Maroti Dongardive (25) had come to the court on Monday.

Sessions judge S S Mahajan was to deliver the judgement in the afternoon but before the judgement could clear him of rape charges, Gopkar and Dongardive consumed some poisonous substance in the canteen in the court premises.

Both were rushed to civil hospital but breathed their last within no time. Polic recovered a suicide note which said they were taking the extreme step due to domestic reasons. 

Gopkar had eloped with a girl from Gadchiroli to Murtizapur with whom he was very friendly. But girl's parents opposed and lodged a complaint against him.

Gopkar's mother Leelabai, who had been accused of helping him commit the crime, was also acquitted by the court.