Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Aug 4: The Udupi Additional District POCSO Special Court has sentenced Sachin Poojari (26), a resident of Kota, to 37 years in prison for the abduction and sexual assault of a minor girl. The verdict was delivered on Saturday, August 3.

Poojari, who was a relative of the victim’s house help, used this connection to obtain the victim’s phone number. He then used the number to communicate with her and created obscene photos, threatening to make them viral and extorting large sums of money and jewelry. He also coerced her into bringing additional jewelry, which he used for his benefit and pawned some of it.

In September and November 2020, Poojari abducted the victim two to three times, taking her to secluded areas where he sexually assaulted her. He continued his extortion until the victim’s family noticed missing jewelry and money, prompting her to disclose the situation and file a complaint at the women’s police station.

The investigation, led by women’s police station inspector Manjunath, resulted in a chargesheet against Poojari. The court reviewed testimonies from 24 out of 42 witnesses and 50 documents. The evidence, including the recovered jewelry and the victim’s testimony, led Judge Srinivas Suvarna to find Poojari guilty on all counts.

Poojari was sentenced to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 5,000 fine for abduction, 10 years and a Rs 10,000 fine for sexual assault, 1 year and a Rs 3,000 fine for extortion, 1 year and a Rs 2,000 fine for intimidation, and 20 years and a Rs 20,000 fine for rape. Of the total fine of Rs 40,000, Rs 10,000 will be paid to the government and Rs 30,000 to the victim.

The court also ordered a Rs 2 lac compensation for the victim. The sentences will run concurrently. Special Public Prosecutor Y T Raghavendra represented the government in the case.