Udupi: Man convicted, sentenced to 37 years in POCSO case

Team Udayavani, Aug 5, 2024, 11:11 AM IST

Representative image (Credit: iStock)

Udupi: A 26-year-old man was convicted in a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) case related to the abduction and sexual assault of a minor girl in 2022 under the jurisdiction of Udupi Women’s Police Station.

Udupi Additional District POCSO Special Court sentenced the accused to a total of 37 years in prison on Saturday.

The convict, Sachin Poojari (26), a resident of Kota, had obtained the girl’s mobile number from his relative who visited girl’s house for work. He engaged in chat conversations, coercing her to send obscene photos. He then threatened to make these photos viral and extorted lakhs of rupees and jewellery from her for his personal use, pawning some of the jewellery.

In September and November 2020, Poojari forcibly abducted the girl multiple times, took her to isolated areas, and raped her. He continued to harass her for more money and jewellery. When her family started searching for the missing jewelry and money, the girl revealed the entire incident to them, and a case was registered at the Women’s Police Station.

24 Witnesses Examined

The investigation, led by Women’s Station In-Charge Police Inspector Manjunath, resulted in a charge sheet against the accused. Out of 42 witnesses, 24 were examined, and the court scrutinized 50 documents. The judge, Srinivas Suvarna, concluded that the evidence, including the victim’s testimony and the jewellery seized from the accused, substantiated the charges.

Compensation of Rs 2 Lakh Ordered

The court sentenced Poojari to five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 for abduction, ten years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 for rape, one year of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 3,000 for extortion, and one year of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000 for threats. Additionally, he received 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000 for the rape case.

Out of the total fine of Rs 40,000, the court ordered Rs 10,000 to be paid to the government and Rs 30,000 to the victim. The court also directed the government to provide a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the victim. The convict shall serve the sentences concurrently.

Special Public Prosecutor Y.T. Raghavendra represented the State in the case.