Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 9: Pramod (26), a native of Jadkal, who reportedly trespassed into a house of a seven-year-old girl when she was with her brother and committed sexual atrocities on her, has been found guilty by the Udupi district additional and sessions POCSO fast track court. Judge of the court, Yermal Kalpana, delivered the verdict.

In January 2016, Pramod, a coolie, had forcibly entered the house of the aggrieved girl when she was with her brother. He had waited for an opportunity, and when the girl's brother went out of the house, he had tried to sexually assault her. The girl shouted for help. Noticing that the mother and brother of the girl were coming towards the house, he had escaped after posing death threats to the girl and her family members.

A complaint had been filed in Shankaranarayana police station in this regard. It was later shifted to the women's police station in Kundapur. The then police sub-inspector, Sujata Salian, had investigated the case and filed a charge sheet in the court.

Out of 17 witnesses, ten were examined. The evidences of the harassed girl and her brother were heavily relied on by the prosecution and became crucial evidences. The court awarded three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000 under Indian Penal Code section 448, one year imprisonment under section 342, and one year for posing death threat. Out of the total fine of Rs 12,500, Rs 5,000 has been ordered to be disbursed to the girl. The court also asked the government to pay compensation of Rs 25,000 to the girl. Special public prosecutor, Y T Raghavendra, had argued the case on behalf of the prosecution.