Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 25: The judge of the special court for cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act here, who conducted hearing into a case of sexual assault registered against a senior citizen, has concluded that the charge levelled against the accused has been proved.

Basava (70) from Hebri had taken away a four-year-old child attending Anganwadi during February 2018 and committed the heinous crime of sexually assaulting the baby. A case relating to this crime was registered in Hebri police station.

Judge of the court, C M Joshi, who said that the charge against the accused has been proved, stated that he would pronounce the quantum of sentence on Wednesday, September 25. Perhaps it is for the first time in the district that charge of sexual assault against a 70-year-old has been found proved.

Public prosecutor for POCSO cases, Vasu Poojary, had represented the prosecution in the case. He requested the court to award the maximum sentence to the person found guilty.

The accused had been granted bail in the past, but he continued to be in judicial custody as his family members refused to provide surety.