Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Jan 28: Kundapur district and additional sessions court Justice Narahari Prabhakar Marate has concluded that the allegations against Pradeep Naik (36) accused of raping a minor by making false promises of marriage are true. Pradeep who was employed to attend a masonry work in the house of the victim had entered the house when the minor girl was alone. The accused reportedly used this opportunity to build a relationship with the girl and eventually made promises of marrying her. The relationship turned physical and stayed so for nine years.
The victim, who was 15 when she first met Pradeep, maintained that she continued to be in a relationship with Pradeep as he promised to marry her. However, whenever the topic of actually getting married was raised, the accused kept delaying it stating that he has a sister who has to get married before him.
Back in 2015, the victim had lodged a complaint at the Shankarnarayana police station. Following which, a case on the grounds of illegal entry into the house, rape and cheating with the false promise of marriage was registered in the police station against Pradeep.
The then CPI Diwaker PM had submitted a charge sheet to the court. Nine witnesses including the victim and her parents had testified in the court. The court which heard long arguments and examined the medical report now concluded that Pradeep is guilty.
District government prosecutor Prakash Chandra Shetty Beloor argued on behalf of the prosecution.