A special court in Udupi, hearing cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, sentenced a Byndoor resident to 20 years’ imprisonment for sexually abusing a minor girl and ordered payment of compensation of Rs 200,000 to the victim.
On June 12, Additional District and Sessions Judge Srinivasa Suvarna, who is also a Special Judge under the Act, pronounced the verdict against 24-year-old Madhukar Marathi. The court had earlier convicted him of violating Sections 5 and 6 of the POCSO Act (aggravated sexual abuse of a minor) and 376 (2) (f) (n) of the Indian Penal Code (repeated rape of a woman by a relative).
Byndoor Circle Police Inspector PD Savithru Tej conducted the investigation and filed the chargesheet in September 2023, while Special Public Prosecutor YT Raghavendra led the prosecution. The prosecution said that Madhukar Marathi sexually abused the minor girl, a relative, when she visited his house in June 2023. Later, he visited her residence when the girl was alone and further raped her while threatening her not to tell the matter to anyone.
When she was taken to a hospital for a check-up due to health complications, the doctors informed her parents that the girl was pregnant. The hospital authorities also informed the police, while the girl’s mother filed a police complaint against Madhukar Marathi.
The prosecution questioned 15 of 30 witnesses. Based on the victim’s testimony and the DNA test report, which confirmed sexual abuse by the accused, the court found that the charges were conclusively proven.
This is a premium article available exclusively to our subscribers. You can read over 250 such premium articles every month.
You have reached your limit for free articles. Please support quality journalism.
You have reached your limit for free articles. Please support quality journalism.
You have read {{data.cm.views}} out of {{data.cm.maxViews}} free articles.
This is your last free item.