Mangaluru: A 64-year-old man from Kadaba has been sentenced to five years of simple imprisonment and fined Rs 35,000 after being found guilty in a POCSO case registered at Bellare police station.
The accused, identified as Abdullah, a resident of Kudmaru in Kadaba, was convicted after the prosecution proved the charges against him before the 7th Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru.
Judge Sumangala C Chaklabbi pronounced the judgment and awarded the sentence.
Case registered at Bellare police station
The case was registered under Bellare police station Crime No. 12/2020.
According to the case records, the accused was charged under Sections 354(A1) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The matter proceeded to trial before the 7th Additional District and Sessions Court, Mangaluru, where the prosecution presented evidence in support of the charges.
After examining the evidence and hearing the arguments, the court found Abdullah guilty.
Five-year prison sentence
Following the conviction, Judge Sumangala C Chaklabbi sentenced Abdullah to five years of simple imprisonment.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs 35,000 on the accused.
The court also ordered that, in the event of failure to pay the fine, Abdullah would have to undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.
The sentence brings the trial in the case to a conclusion at the court of first instance, subject to any further legal proceedings available to the convicted person.
Investigation and prosecution
Naveen Chandra Jogi, who was the investigating officer in the case and was serving as the Sullia circle inspector at the time, conducted the investigation.
He collected the necessary evidence in the case and subsequently submitted the chargesheet before the court.
The investigation and presentation of evidence formed the basis of the prosecution’s case during the trial.
Special Public Prosecutor Pushparaj represented the prosecution before the court and effectively presented the case on behalf of the state.
Court finds accused guilty
After considering the evidence and arguments presented during the proceedings, the court found that the charges against Abdullah had been proved.
The conviction under the POCSO Act carries particular significance as the legislation provides a legal framework for protecting children from sexual offences and ensuring that such cases are dealt with through the criminal justice system.
The sentence imposed by the court includes both imprisonment and a financial penalty.
The case, which originated with the registration of Crime No. 12/2020 at Bellare police station, has now resulted in a conviction after the completion of the trial.
The prosecution’s case was supported by the investigation carried out by the police and the evidence placed before the court.
The judgment serves as the latest development in a case that was registered in 2020 and subsequently investigated and prosecuted before the Mangaluru court.