Man given 30-year RI for raping minor

Belagavi: The special Pocso court here sentenced a 29-year-old man to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) for sexually assaulting a minor girl and impregnating her, resulting in the birth of a child.The convict, identified as Imran Riyazhammad Chaudhary, was found guilty of repeatedly abusing the minor in Oct 2024. After the survivor became pregnant, her parents approached the police.Police SI Praveen Gangol registered a case, while further investigation was carried out by PSI Shivanand Gudaganatti, who later filed a chargesheet before the court.During the trial, the prosecution presented eight witnesses, 48 documents and four material objects as evidence. Based on oral and documentary evidence, the court held that the charges against the accused were conclusively proved.Pronouncing the verdict, additional district and sessions judge and special Pocso court judge CM Pushpalata sentenced the accused to 30 years of RI and fined him Rs 1 lakh.In addition, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority to provide the survivor with compensation of Rs 5 lakh under the victim compensation scheme. Govt prosecutor LV Patil argued the case in favour of the victim.