A Fast Track Special Court (FTSC-2) in Mangaluru has sentenced a 30-year-old man from Bantwal taluk to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in a 2023 case involving a minor.
The individual was also fined ₹50,000 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and applicable sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). An additional one-year sentence and ₹5,000 fine was imposed under IPC Section 506 for criminal intimidation.
The case was registered in December 2023, following allegations of serious misconduct and threats made against the minor earlier that year.
After being untraceable for several months, the accused was taken into custody in July 2024. The investigation was led by local police inspectors who compiled additional evidence and submitted the charge sheet within the legal time frame.
On July 30, 2025, Judge Manu K S delivered the verdict after hearing arguments from the Government Prosecutor and the Special Public Prosecutor. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s firm commitment to upholding child protection laws and delivering timely justice.