Pocso case: Youth gets 10 years of imprisonment

Krishna P R, found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor girl, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act by Second Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru on Monday.

Krishna, 23, who is a labourer from Jalsoor, had sexually assaulted a minor who was also his relative on September 18, 2015. Promising marriage, he had continued the assault in her house many times.

The parents of the girl learnt of the matter when their daughter was in the fourth month of pregnancy.

Sullia police registered a case under Pocso Act against Krishna. Inspector Satish filed a charge sheet under IPC Section 376 and Pocso Act Section 6. There were 17 witnesses during the trial.

“There was clinching evidence in the form of rape victim’s statement, recorded by a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC and the DNA test reports of the foetus that established Krishna as the father. The Second Additional District and Sessions Court Judge Pallavi B R declared Krishna guilty of raping a minor,” said C Venkataramana Swamy, special public prosecutor.

Under the IPC Section 376, Krishna has been sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment. Under Pocso Act Section 6, he has been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. Both sentences will run concurrently.

“An amount of Rs 7,500 of the total fine amount Rs 10,000 collected from Krishna has been awarded as compensation to the victim. The judge has also directed the district legal services authority to release additional compensation to the victim,” said Swamy.