Udupi: The District Additional and Sessions Court, POCSO Fast Track Special Court Judge Srinivas Suvarna has sentenced the accused to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexual harassment of a minor girl.
The accused has been identified as Suresh Kothari, a resident of Amasebail in Kundapura. He was the driver of a school bus.
He had befriended a 17-year-old girl employed as a maid in the school bus and had obtained her mobile number. On the day of the incident, after dropping the children he had escorted the girl on his bike to a forest saying that he had to speak to her. Then he raped her in the forest.
The girl had gotten pregnant and delivered a girl child in her bathroom. The case came to light when she carried the child to the hospital and provided treatment.
A case was registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by the victim at Amasebail Police Station.
The accused was arrested and had obtained bail from the Court. Then the Circle inspector Manjappa D. R. took up the investigation and submitted the chargesheet against the accused in the Court.
In all, 16 out of 30 witnesses were heard in the court. The DNA report proved that Suresh was guilty.
Udupi POCSO Court Special Government Prosecutor Y. T. Raghavendra argued the case in favour of the Government.
The accused was sentenced 10 years rigorous imprisonment, another 10 years imprisonment under POCSO Act which can be clubbed concurrently and slapped a fine of Rs. 20,000. Failure to pay the fine will attract another year’s imprisonment. The court has directed the Government to pay a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to the victim. Out of Rs. 20, 000 fine, the victim will be handed over Rs. 15, 000 and the remaining Rs. 5,000 will be submitted to the Government.
