Rajkot: 2016 Serial Murder Survivor Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of Minor Boys
In a shocking development in Rajkot, a man who was once a crucial survivor and witness in the notorious 2016 'stone killer' serial murder case has been arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting minor boys. Jayesh Majethia, who survived an attack by serial killer Hitesh Ramavat eight years ago, has been taken into custody along with his associate Lala Patel following a formal complaint lodged at the Rajkot A Division police station.
Details of the Alleged Abuse and Investigation
Police investigations have revealed that the alleged abuse occurred over the past three months at a residential property located within a school premises in Rajkot. According to the complaint filed by the 50-year-old grandmother of one of the victims, Majethia, who operated a potable water supply business, is accused of luring two minors, aged 14 and 17, under the false pretext of employment and subsequently exploiting them.
The victims, both hailing from Nepal, were allegedly coerced into sexual acts under the guise of job opportunities. The complainant detailed that her 14-year-old stepgrandson was initially hired to wash water jars, but the workplace tragically transformed into a site of repeated abuse. The minor reported that both accused individuals assaulted him and his friend on multiple occasions, providing them with small amounts of cash after each incident to maintain silence.
Police Action and Legal Charges
As the victims lacked formal birth documents, police conducted ossification tests at a civil hospital, which confirmed their ages to be between 14 and 17 years. Investigators are also examining videos of the alleged acts, recorded on mobile phones, that have surfaced on social media platforms, adding a digital dimension to the case.
Police stated that the accused allegedly threatened the two minor boys to prevent them from speaking out. The victims eventually ceased working for the duo and disclosed the alleged abuse to their family members on March 27, leading to the formal complaint and subsequent arrests.
Authorities have booked Jayesh Majethia and Lala Patel under Sections 351(2) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with sections 6, 8, 12, and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This case highlights a disturbing twist, as Majethia transitions from a victim in a high-profile murder case to an accused in a serious child exploitation scandal, underscoring ongoing challenges in safeguarding vulnerable minors in the region.
