A court in Mangaluru has sentenced a 53-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl in Ullal.

The Additional District and Sessions Court (POCSO-FTSC-2) judge Manu K.S. delivered the verdict against the accused, identified as Abubakar.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on March 29, 2025, when the accused took a minor girl from his neighbourhood to a deserted house while she was alone at home and sexually assaulted her. He allegedly threatened the victim not to reveal the incident to anyone.

Investigations revealed that the accused had sexually assaulted the girl on three earlier occasions and intimidated her into silence.

A case was registered at Bantwal Rural Police Station. Inspector Shivakumar B. conducted the investigation and filed the charge sheet.

The court convicted the accused under Section 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, sentencing him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹45,000. In default of payment, he will undergo an additional four months of simple imprisonment.

Under BNS Section 351(2), the court also awarded three months of simple imprisonment and a fine of ₹5,000. Failure to pay the fine will attract an additional 15 days of simple imprisonment.

The judge directed that ₹50,000 from the fine amount be given to the victim and ordered the Legal Services Authority to provide an additional compensation of ₹3.5 lakh.

Special POCSO Public Prosecutor Sahana Devi Boluru argued the case for the prosecution.