Dhaval Trivedi, a 52-year-old repeat offender dubbed the “Love Guru” by some, has been sentenced to life imprisonment until his last breath by a special CBI court in Ahmedabad for raping and impregnating a student after eloping with her on the pretext of marriage. This second life sentence comes while Trivedi was on furlough from a prior life sentence for similar crimes.
The court also imposed a fine of ₹7 lakh, and emphasized that this order should be considered in future parole or furlough requests. This case underscores the failures in the system and the urgent need for better safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals from repeat offenders.
“A Teacher’s Betrayal: ‘With Deceit as His Weapon'”
Dhaval Trivedi’s case is a chilling example of abuse of power and manipulation. Already serving a life sentence since March 2018 for abducting and raping two minor students from Rajkot district in 2014, Trivedi exploited a temporary release on furlough to commit further atrocities. Using a false identity, he began teaching English-speaking classes in Chotila, where he preyed on another student.
In August 2018, he eloped with the young woman, taking her to various locations across India and Nepal. He repeatedly raped her under the guise of a promised marriage, resulting in her pregnancy. Special Judge D. G. Rana condemned Trivedi’s actions, stating, “With deceit as his weapon, he spun a web of lies, betraying the trust society places in a teacher.” The victim, after enduring months of abuse, bravely managed to escape and return home in June 2020, where she reported the details to the CBI, leading to Trivedi’s eventual re-arrest.
“A Pattern of Deceit: Unmasking the ‘Love Guru'”
The prosecution presented compelling evidence highlighting Trivedi’s pattern of deceit and predatory behaviour. His history of crimes began in 2014 with the abduction and rape of two students, culminating in his initial life sentence in March 2018. After being granted furlough,
Trivedi violated the terms of his release, disappearing and assuming a new identity to evade justice. The CBI eventually apprehended him in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, and he faced charges of rape, abduction, cheating, and impersonation in the latest case. During the trial, the prosecution argued for the death penalty, citing the severity of the crimes and Trivedi’s status as a repeat offender. The court, while not imposing the death penalty, ruled that Trivedi would remain incarcerated for the remainder of his life, with no possibility of remission.
This decision sends a strong message against those who abuse their positions of authority and repeatedly endanger the lives of others. Officials have stated that the fine imposed on Trivedi will be used for the victim’s rehabilitation and support.
