A Special Fast-Track POCSO Court in Belagavi has sentenced a 30-year-old man to five years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹3.30 lakh for sexually harassing a minor girl from the Scheduled Caste community.
The convict, Vinayak Kallagouda Patil (30), a resident of Nerali village in Hukkeri taluk of Belagavi district, was found guilty under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Indian Penal Code, and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The case, registered as Crime No. 244/2023 at Sankeshwar Police Station, pertains to an incident that occurred on November 6, 2023. As per the prosecution, the accused sexually harassed the minor by forcing her to undress during a video call, took obscene photographs, and threatened to kill her if she refused to comply.
The investigation was carried out by Deputy Superintendent of Police D.H. Mulla of the Gokak subdivision. During the trial, the prosecution examined eight witnesses and produced 47 documents along with material evidence. The court concluded that the charges were proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
Pronouncing the verdict, Judge C.M. Pushpalatha awarded Patil separate terms of rigorous imprisonment under various sections, which together amounted to five years. The court also ordered that ₹1 lakh from the fine be paid to the victim as compensation through the District Legal Services Authority.
Special Public Prosecutor L.V. Patil represented the State. The judgment has been viewed as a strong step towards ensuring justice for minors and reinforcing stringent legal safeguards against sexual offences.
