Mangaluru Court Delivers 20-Year Sentence in Minor Kidnapping and Assault Case
In a significant verdict, the additional district and sessions FTSC-II (Pocso) court in Mangaluru has convicted and sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor girl under the pretext of love. The case highlights the severe consequences of crimes against children under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
Details of the Crime and Investigation
The accused, Mahesh Madara, aged 20 and a resident of Hole Munnuru in Rona taluk of Gadag district, was found guilty of multiple offences. The survivor, a minor girl, was living with her parents in a rented house on the outskirts of Mangaluru and worked as a domestic help. Mahesh Madara resided in a neighbouring house, and the two became acquainted, eventually developing a relationship.
Upon discovering this, the girl's parents advised her against the association and made her quit her job to distance her from Mahesh. However, insisting on working, she rejoined her job on May 14, 2025. On May 19, while she was at work, Mahesh called her, issuing threats and ordering her to meet him immediately. He warned that if she did not comply, he would kill her parents and himself.
He then took her to a location on the city outskirts, where he sexually assaulted her against her will. The following day, they traveled by bus to Ballari in search of a rental house. Unable to find accommodation, they stayed in an abandoned house in Nagalakere. There, on May 22, Mahesh sexually assaulted her multiple times.
Legal Proceedings and Verdict
Based on a complaint filed by the survivor, the Mangaluru South police registered a case and traced both individuals. A formal case was registered against Mahesh Madara under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Pocso Act. The investigation was completed by then PSI Rekha R, and inspector Gururaj submitted the chargesheet to the court.
Judge Maanu KS presided over the trial and found Mahesh Madara guilty of offences punishable under Sections 65(1) and 137(2) of the BNS, as well as Section 6 of the Pocso Act. The court imposed a sentence of 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30,000. In default of the fine, he will serve an additional three months of simple imprisonment.
For the kidnapping charge, he was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000, with an additional one month of simple imprisonment in default. The total fine of Rs 35,000 is to be awarded to the survivor. Additionally, the District Legal Services Authority has been directed to pay the survivor compensation of Rs 3.6 lakh. Special public prosecutor Sahana Devi Boloor represented the prosecution during the trial.
This verdict underscores the judiciary's commitment to protecting minors and delivering justice in cases of sexual violence, serving as a deterrent against such heinous crimes.
