Mangaluru: A man from Belthangady has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Additional District and Sessions Court (FTSC-2) in Mangaluru in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The accused, Abdul Latheef, a resident of Guruvayanakere in Belthangady, was convicted in connection with a case registered at Bantwal Town Police Station. The court also imposed a fine of ₹80,000 on him, according to reports on the September 19 judgment.
The case was registered as Crime No. 141/2025 at Bantwal Town Police Station. The prosecution invoked several provisions of the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with the investigation leading to a chargesheet against Latheef and two other accused persons.
Mangaluru court pronounces sentence
The Additional District and Sessions Court FTSC-2 in Mangaluru pronounced the sentence on Saturday, September 19.
Judge Manu K.S. sentenced Abdul Latheef to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹80,000, according to the report.
The prosecution was represented by Special Public Prosecutor Sahanadevi Boloor, while Bantwal Town Police Inspector Ananthapadmanabha was the investigating officer in the case.
The case involved serious charges under the POCSO Act, which provides specific legal protection to children from sexual offences and prescribes penalties for such crimes.
Case registered at Bantwal Town police station
The case originated at Bantwal Town Police Station and was registered under Crime No. 141/2025.
According to the report, the chargesheet was filed after police collected forensic and material evidence during the investigation. Abdul Latheef was named as the prime accused, while two others were also included as co-accused in the case.
The prosecution invoked Sections 4, 6, 8, 12, 19(1)(b) and 21 of the POCSO Act, 2012, along with provisions under the BNS.
The charges reflected the seriousness of the allegations examined during the trial. The court’s conviction followed consideration of the evidence presented before it.
Police investigation and chargesheet
The investigation was led by Bantwal Town Police Inspector Ananthapadmanabha.
According to the report, investigators gathered forensic and other material evidence before submitting the chargesheet to the court against the accused. The evidence formed the basis of the prosecution’s case during the proceedings.
The investigation also involved two other accused persons who were named alongside Latheef in the chargesheet.
The court’s verdict against the prime accused now marks the conclusion of the trial at this stage, with the 20-year prison sentence imposed after the prosecution established its case before the court.
POCSO law provides special protection to children
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was enacted to provide a specific legal framework for dealing with sexual offences against children.
The law covers sexual assault, sexual harassment and use of children for pornography, besides establishing procedures intended to make the judicial process more child-sensitive.
Cases registered under the Act are dealt with by designated Special Courts, including Fast Track Special Courts in several districts.
The Mangaluru FTSC-2 court handled the present case involving the Belthangady resident.
Fine imposed along with prison sentence
Apart from the 20-year rigorous imprisonment, the court imposed a total fine of ₹80,000 on Abdul Latheef.
The sentence reflects the provisions under which the accused was convicted. The exact application of each statutory provision and the corresponding punishment is contained in the court’s order.
The case highlights the role of the prosecution, investigating officers and specialised courts in handling offences registered under the POCSO Act.
Two others named as co-accused
The chargesheet filed by the Bantwal police named two co-accused individuals along with Abdul Latheef.
However, the September 19 report specifically identifies Latheef as the prime accused who was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. Details concerning the legal status or proceedings involving the other accused should therefore be distinguished from the sentence imposed on Latheef.
This distinction is important while reporting the case because a person being named as an accused does not by itself establish guilt.
Importance of evidence in POCSO cases
The investigation in the case involved the collection of forensic and material evidence before the chargesheet was filed.
Such evidence can play an important role in POCSO trials, along with witness statements and other material placed before the court.
The final determination of guilt is made by the court after considering the evidence and arguments presented by the prosecution and defence.
In this case, the court convicted Abdul Latheef and subsequently imposed the 20-year rigorous imprisonment sentence.
Verdict concludes trial at this stage
The sentencing on September 19 brings the trial against Abdul Latheef to a significant stage.
The prosecution had presented its case before the Mangaluru FTSC-2 court, while the defence had the opportunity to contest the allegations during the judicial proceedings. The court ultimately found the accused guilty and awarded the sentence reported above.
Any further legal developments, including an appeal if one is filed, would be part of the subsequent judicial process.
Belthangady POCSO case ends with 20-year sentence
The Mangaluru court’s decision has resulted in a 20-year rigorous imprisonment sentence for Abdul Latheef, along with an ₹80,000 fine, in the POCSO case registered at Bantwal Town Police Station.
The case was investigated by Bantwal Town Police and involved multiple provisions of the POCSO Act and BNS. The chargesheet included two other accused persons, while Latheef was identified as the prime accused.
The verdict underscores the role of specialised courts in dealing with cases involving offences against children and brings the trial against the convicted accused to its present stage.