Udupi: A POCSO Court in Udupi found a man guilty of raping a minor and sentenced him to life imprisonment and fines on Tuesday June 21.
Rajeeb alias Chotu from West Bengal was charged with kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old girl from a scheduled caste community.
The incident took place in February 2018. Rajeeb, a migrant worker who had moved to the district, had kidnapped the girl from her home. The girl’s father had reported her missing to the police. She was later found at a railway station. During counselling, the girl revealed about Rajeeb sexually assaulted her and about five other men who reportedly helped him. Police filed a chargesheet based on the statement and other evidence.
The court found Rajeeb guilty of the crime based on witness testimony and forensic evidence, and sentenced him to life in prison and a fine of Rs. 56,000. The other five were found not guilty of all charges.
The court also directed the government to give the victim Rs. 5 lakh as compensation.
