Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Aug 14: An alarming case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been filed at the Bantwal rural police station against an individual who forcibly grabbed a schoolgirl's hand, with the incident coming to light only recently.

The accused, Sukesh alias Sikesha, a resident of Kudkunja in Sarapadi village, is currently behind the bars due to his involvement in a previous POCSO case.

According to reports, the incident occurred when the young girl was making her way home from school. Sukesh Gowda, the alleged perpetrator, approached the girl from behind, grabbing her hand and attempting to pull her towards him. Attentive rickshaw pullers nearby sensed something amiss and observed Sukesh's suspicious behavior as he trailed the girl. Acting swiftly, one of the auto rickshaw drivers seized the girl's hand, preventing her from being taken any further. The driver promptly apprehended Sukesh and reported the incident to the police.

Notorious repeat offender

It has come to light that Sukesh, who reportedly grapples with severe alcohol addiction, had previously engaged in similar inappropriate actions on two occasions, leading to public condemnation. Despite facing criticism, he persisted in his actions. Community members, unwilling to tolerate his behavior any longer, swiftly alerted the police upon witnessing him repeat the offense. Law enforcement promptly took Sukesh into custody, registered a new POCSO case against him, and subsequently imprisoned.