Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru Mangaluru, Aug 24: The Additional District and Sessions Court (FTSC-2) in Mangaluru has convicted Samir (43) for abducting a minor girl under the pretext of marriage and sexually assaulting her at a lodge. Judge Manu K.S. sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 55,000. Case details: Samir, a resident of Karnadu Lingappayya Kadu, Bijapur Colony, Mulki, used to supply chicken to a hotel near Surathkal run by the victim’s mother. During this period, he came into contact with the girl, who had discontinued her studies and stayed at home. Despite being married, Samir told her he was single and convinced her with a false promise of marriage. Assault in Shivamogga lodge On June 24, 2024, Samir arrived at the girl’s house in a car and pressured her to elope. When she refused, he threatened to kill her and commit suicide. He then abducted her and took her to a lodge in Sagar, Shivamogga district. At the reception, Nagraj (30) of Tumakuru, who was working there, collected their Aadhaar cards and allotted them a room. Between 10 pm on June 24 and 6:30 a.m. on June 25, Samir sexually assaulted the girl. Taken to Chitradurga, Bengaluru, and Mumbai Afterwards, he drove the girl to Chitradurga and then boarded a bus to Bengaluru. From there, they travelled to Mumbai by private bus, arriving on June 26. Failing to find rental accommodation, he decided to return. On June 28 morning, they reached Bengaluru again and later travelled to Mangaluru by KSRTC bus, arriving past midnight. At the KSRTC bus stand in Mangaluru, Surathkal police arrested Samir. Then inspector Raghu Naik and sub-inspector Mahesh Prasad investigated and filed the chargesheet. Court verdict After a full trial, Judge Manu K S pronounced the verdict on August 23, sentencing Samir to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposing a Rs 55,000 fine. The second accused, receptionist Nagraj, was acquitted. Compensation to victim The court directed that a fine of Rs 55,000 and an additional compensation of Rs 3.45 lac to be paid to the victim girl through the Legal Services Authority. Out of this, Rs 1.5 lac must be paid immediately, while Rs 2.5 lac should be deposited as a fixed deposit in the victim’s name for three years, as directed by the court.
