Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 17: K M Ashraf (29), a resident of Babrukodi in Varkadi village of Manjeshwar near here, who had sexually harassed on a four and a half year old girl was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and a fine of Rs 10,000 by the second additional district and sessions court and POCSO special court.

The court has ordered to pay Rs 7,500 out of the fine amount to the victim girl. In addition, the court also directed the victims’ caretakers to obtain compensation from the government through Legal Services Authority.

The convict Ashraf, who is a cable operator, had gone to a house for cable repair on December 23, 2014. During the occasion, he took the four and a half year old girl child to the terrace of the house and sexually harassed her. The mother of the victim had registered a case against Ashraf in the Konaje police station. The then PSI Sudhakar had registered the case under the POCSO act, conducted the investigation and filed a charge sheet in the court.

Justice Pallavi, who conducted the inquiry of 15 witnesses, gave the verdict on Saturday, March 16. Special public prosecutor C Venkataramana Swamy had argued the case on behalf of the victim.