Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur

Puttur, July 31: In a 7-year-old case involving the rape and impregnation of a minor girl from a Dalit family in Badagannur village of Puttur taluk, the Puttur 5th Additional District and Sessions Court and POCSO Special Court has sentenced the accused to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The accused has been identified as Peeresh alias Peerappa Sangappa Malothar (35), son of Sangappa from Gowdageri Oni, Dindur village of Ron taluk in Gadag district.

Peeresh was working at a quarry in Kempukallu, Badagannur, at the time of the incident. In August 2017, he allegedly lured the girl to his rented house and raped her. It was later alleged that he repeatedly assaulted her sexually, leading to her pregnancy.

The Sampya police had arrested the accused. The court examined 18 witnesses during the trial. Judge Saritha D, after hearing the arguments, sentenced Peeresh to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, imposed a fine of Rs 35,000, and ordered an additional simple imprisonment of 5 years in case of failure to pay the fine.

The District Legal Services Authority has been directed to provide a compensation of Rs 6 lac to the victim.

Accused absconded fearing conviction

Fearing certain conviction, Peeresh had gone into hiding. A warrant was issued against him. Under the directions of rural circle inspector Ravi B S, Sampya SI Jamburaj B Mahajan, and investigation wing SI Sushma G Bhandari, Sampya head constables Praveen Rai and Harish, along with constable Cholappa Sanshi, tracked him down in Dindur and arrested him.