In a significant ruling, the Puttur 5th District Additional and Sessions Court sentenced Muhammad Musthafa (Musthafa Sheikh) of Vidyapura, Kabaka village, to three years in prison along with a ₹20,000 fine under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The sentence comes after a nine-year-long legal battle regarding the harassment of a nine-year-old girl in December 2015.
The incident took place near Bypadavu in Kabaka, where the accused allegedly harassed the young girl as she walked along an unpaved path. The girl managed to escape and immediately informed her parents, prompting a police complaint and investigation. The Puttur city police registered the case and submitted the charge sheet to the court.
In addition to the POCSO Act sentence, Musthafa was sentenced to one month in prison with a ₹500 fine under Section 341 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for wrongful restraint. If he fails to pay the fine, he will face an additional week of imprisonment. The court also mandated that non-payment of the ₹20,000 fine would result in an additional six-month jail term.
Justice Saritha D delivered the verdict after reviewing testimonies from 14 witnesses.
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