Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 1: Through a judgment delivered on Saturday January 31, the chief district and sessions court here, which also is the designated special court for cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, has found that charges of kidnap and rape of a minor girl levelled against the accused have been proved. Accordingly, he has been awarded seven years of rigorous imprisonment in addition imposing a fine of Rs 40,000.

Anand (34), a resident of Odadakere near Charvaka village in Puttur taluk, has been ordered to undergo the above imprisonment and pay fine. He faces five years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine for kidnapping the girl, seven years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 30,000 fine for rape. The court has also ordered for payment of Rs 30,000 out of the fine amount to be paid to the girl.

A minor girl from Baddame dalit colony in Koila village in Puttur taluk was waiting at Kemmara bus stand in Koila village for visiting Uppinangady government college to check her SSLC result, when the accused reportedly coaxed her into accompanying him. He then intimidated and threatened her, kidnapped her, and took her to the house of a person known to him at Ippamane in Dharmasthala, where the two stayed on May 14 and 15. He was accused of raping the girl when at Ippamane.

Then then Puttur rural police inspector, Suresh Kumar, had conducted investigation and filed charge sheet. In the case, Putrur JMFC court judge, Sharavan, had recorded the girl's statement and adduced evidence in the court. After examining 17 witnesses, the court concluded that the accused was guilty, basing the conclusion mainly on the girl's statement.

Judge of the POCSO special court, Uma M G, who heard arguments from both the sides, had pronounced the verdict on January 30 and quantum of punishment the next day. On behalf of the prosecution, chief prosecutor, Pushparaj Adyantaya, had placed arguments.