Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Jun 16: A POCSO special court of the city sentenced father and son, accused of sexually harassing a minor girl, two years ago, to 20 years of RI (Rigorous Imprisonment).
Shivashankar (58) and his son Sachin (28), natives of Davanagere, are the accused who were convicted by the court.
The 14-year-old victim girl was living with her mother. In the same house, Shivashankar, who was her mother’s friend used to live together. From April 2020 till October, during the Covid lockdown time, the victim’s mother used to leave home at 5 am to work. It is accused that Shivashankar had physical relation several times with the girl during this period. Shivashankar’s son Sachin also sexually harassed the girl when she was alone at home in the month of May 2020.
The victim girl conveyed this matter with neighbour woman, who alerted the child helpline. The then child protection officer Prabhakar Acharya rescued the victim girl and filed complaint in women police station of the city against father and son. Inspector Jayant M investigated the matter and filed chargesheet in the court.
As many as 15 out of the 22 witnesses deposed in the court. Though mother of the victim turned hostile, witness of the victim and circumstantial evidence was considered by justice Srinivasa Suvarna and both father and son were pronounced guilty.
Both father and son due were sentenced to 10 years each in prison under sexual harassment act and 20 years each in prison under POCSO act. They were also fined Rs 10000.
The court ordered to Pay Rs 30000 to the victim girl and Rs three lac additional compensation to the victim girl. The court ordered that the amount needs to be kept in bank FD in the name of the victim.
Special public prosecutor Y T Raghavendra argued for the prosecution.