Udupi: Rape backed by false promise of marriage - youth sentenced

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 23: An accused, who was charged with repeatedly raping a young lady by making her believe in his promise of marriage, and then breaking his promise, has been sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment by the district and sessions court here.

District and sessions judge, Narendrakumar B Gunaki announced the quantum of sentence in the case on Monday April 22. While Raghuram (41), a resident of Moodabettu in Shankarpura Shivananda Colony, who was the main accused, has been found guilty, his father, Aithappa, who was the second accused, was  absolved of the charges made against him.

The lady said Raghuram, whom she knew, approached her in March 2009 when waiting for a bus to reach her uncle’s home in Shankarpura at Udupi bus stand, and offered to drop her in his car. However, he took her to a new building in Karkala where he was conducting painting work. There, he offered her drink laced with some drug. After she fell unconscious, he reportedly raped her. When the lady protested after coming to senses, he threatened her not to reveal the incident to anyone, and also promised to marry her.

She was later escorted to various places by Raghuram. When she became pregnant, he convinced her to abort the pregnancy. Later, he allegedly refused to fulfill his promise of marriage. When the lady and her family members approached Raghuram’s family in this connection, Aithappa and others refused to entertain them, tried to assault them, and posed threat of murder, the lady had said in her complaint.

Public prosecutor, T S Jithuri, had presented the case on behalf of the prosecution. The then police circle inspector, S V Girish, had conducted inquiry and filed charge sheet in the court.