Belagavi: The additional district and sessions court, along with the special fast-track Pocso court in Belagavi, has awarded the death sentence to Bharatesh Mirji of Paramanandwadi in Raibag taluk for the rape and murder of a minor girl in 2019. The court also imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh, to be provided as compensation to the victim’s parents through the District Legal Services Authority.
The crime in 2019
The incident dates back to October 15, 2019, when the convict lured the minor girl to his home under the pretext of offering chocolates. He then sexually assaulted her, and when the girl resisted and screamed, he strangled her to death.
In a bid to destroy evidence, Mirji tied a stone to the girl’s body with a sari and threw it into a well near his house.
Discovery and investigation
The girl’s father lodged a missing complaint at the Kudachi police station after she failed to return home. During the investigation, police traced the girl’s body with the help of a sniffer dog in a well near Paramanandwadi village.
The case was investigated under the supervision of the then Superintendent of Police, Laxman Nimbargi, and a detailed chargesheet was filed.
Trial and verdict
After nearly six years of legal proceedings, Judge CM Pushpalata, who presided over the trial, announced the death sentence on Friday. The court ruled that the brutal nature of the crime warranted the maximum punishment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
The prosecution was led by government prosecutor LV Patil, who argued for the strictest punishment to deliver justice to the victim and her family.
Compensation for victim’s family
Alongside the death sentence and fine, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority to ensure that ₹10 lakh is provided as compensation to the grieving parents.
Conclusion
The judgment is seen as a strong message against heinous crimes committed against minors. It also underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring swift justice under the Pocso Act, which was created to protect children from sexual exploitation and violence.