Mangaluru Court Delivers 20-Year Sentence in Pocso Case
In a significant ruling, the Additional District and Sessions FTSC-II (Pocso) Judge Maanu KS in Mangaluru on Thursday sentenced 53-year-old Aboobakkar to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl. The court also imposed a total fine of Rs 50,000 on the convict.
Details of the Crime and Investigation
The case dates back to March 29, 2025, when Aboobakkar sexually assaulted a minor girl in his neighbourhood. He further threatened the victim against disclosing the incident. A complaint was subsequently registered at the Bantwal Rural police station, leading to a thorough investigation.
Inspector Shivakumar B, who led the investigation, submitted a chargesheet against Aboobakkar. The case was booked under sections 351(2) and 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
Court's Verdict and Penalties
Judge Maanu KS found Aboobakkar guilty of the charges. In addition to the 20-year rigorous imprisonment, the court imposed the following penalties:
- A fine of Rs 45,000 under Section 64(1) of BNS and Section 6 of the Pocso Act.
- Three months of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 351(2) of BNS.
The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to pay Rs 3.5 lakh in compensation to the victim. Furthermore, the Rs 50,000 fine amount collected from Aboobakkar is to be handed over to the victim as part of the restitution.
Legal Proceedings and Prosecution
Special Public Prosecutor Sahana Devi Boloor represented the prosecution in this case. The verdict underscores the judiciary's commitment to delivering justice in cases involving sexual offences against minors, particularly under the stringent provisions of the Pocso Act.
This ruling serves as a stern warning against such heinous crimes and highlights the legal consequences for perpetrators who exploit and harm children in society.
