JAIPUR: A POCSO court in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara on Monday awarded death sentence to two men for raping and burning a 14-year-old girl alive in a coal stove in August last year.

“Kalu and Kanha were sentenced to death by the court,” said special public prosecutor Mahaveer Singh Kishnawat.

On Saturday, the court sentenced both men for the crime that took place in August last year.

Seven other people accused of destroying evidence were acquitted by the court. Kishnawat said the acquittal would be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Welcoming the court’s decision, the victim’s mother said justice had been served and she was satisfied with the punishment.

Former Prime Minister Ashok Gehlot said his government took immediate action against the accused and arrested them.

“Then ADG Crime was dispatched to the spot and the case was dealt with under the Case Officers Programme. The indictment in this case was filed within about a month. Today, within about 10 months, the perpetrators have been convicted.” he said.

The girl went missing when she was out grazing cattle on August 2 last year.

Both men raped her and then hit her with sticks. Believing her dead, they threw her into a coal furnace.

There were a total of five furnaces arranged in a row, and one of them was operated without being completely covered, contrary to normal practice.

Locals noticed the girl’s bracelet there, and bones were found there.