Mangaluru: Court sentences man to 20 years for raping minor

Mangaluru: Court sentences man to 20 years for raping minor

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 26, 2026: In a significant verdict, the Mangaluru Additional District and Sessions Court (POCSO-FTSC-2) has sentenced a 21-year-old auto-rickshaw driver to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl and causing her to become pregnant under the false pretext of marriage. 

The convict, identified as Nagaraj Shivappa Duragannavar, a native of Bagalkote residing in Mangaluru, was reportedly an acquaintance of the victim’s family. 

According to the prosecution, the accused took the girl to his rented house in Attavar on February 25 and March 13, 2025, where the assaults took place. Following the victim’s pregnancy, a case was registered at the Women’s Police Station, leading to a thorough investigation and the subsequent filing of a chargesheet by Inspector Balakrishna H.N.

Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, Judge Manu K.S. found the accused guilty under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, sentencing him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹40,000. Additionally, under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), he was sentenced to 5 years of simple imprisonment with a fine of ₹10,000; failure to pay these fines will result in an extended jail term. The court further directed the District Legal Services Authority to provide ₹6.50 lakh as compensation to the victim. Special Public Prosecutor Sahana Devi Bolur represented the state during the trial, which concluded with this stern message against crimes involving minors.