Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 8: A person who was facing the allegations of cheating a lady and raping her in Sanoor village near Karkala eight years back was awarded imprisonment of seven years on Saturday July 7. The crime took place within the limits of Karkala town police station.

The person found guilty in the case was Yogeesh (25) from Kemaru Sasihithlu in Palaldka. Reportedly, Yogeesh, in spite of having been married, won over the trust of a 19-year-old lady, made her to believe that he would marry her, and then raped her in a thicket near Barady Cross in Sanoor village on January 18, 2010. It is said that Yogeesh also posed threat to the lady against informing anyone else about the incident.

It is said that the man had captured obscene pictures of the lady in his cellphone. By using these photos, he brought pressure on her repeatedly to have sex with him. He threatened her of sharing her photos and undermine her honour if she refused to cooperate with him. At the same time, he continued to hide from her the fact that he was married.

On May 22, 2011, a case under different sections of Indian Penal Code and 67 (a) of IT Act had been registered against the accused in Karkala town branch. The then police circle inspector at Kaup Sunil Naik, had filed charge sheet in the court on May 25, 2015. Judge of the district and sessions court, Venkatesh Naik, who held trial, found the charges proved and awarded seven years imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine under section 376, six months imprisonment each for offences under section 292 and 506, and a year of imprisonment under iT Act.

District public prosecutor, Shanthi Bai, had represented the prosecution in the case. Accused Yogeesh, who has already been found guilty in sandalwood theft case, is currently lodged in Belagavi prison.