Minor sexual assault case: Belthangady man sentenced to eight years’ jail

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 5, 2026: The Additional District and Sessions Court, FTSC-1 (POCSO), Mangaluru, on Tuesday sentenced a 60-year-old man to eight years’ imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl. The convicted accused has been identified as Shankara Gowda of Belthangady.

According to the prosecution, in March 2025, Shankara Gowda went to the house of a minor girl known to him and, finding no one else at home, sexually harassed her. A case was subsequently registered at the Dharmasthala police station.

After trial, Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohan J.S. found the accused guilty and imposed a total sentence of eight years’ imprisonment. The court awarded:

* Three years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹20,000 under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with an additional six months’ imprisonment in default of payment of the fine.

* Two years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹15,000 under Section 75(2) of the BNS, with an additional four months’ simple imprisonment in default.

* Three years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹20,000 under Section 8 of the POCSO Act, with an additional six months’ simple imprisonment in default.

The court directed that all the sentences shall run concurrently.

Compensation: In addition to the fines, the judge directed the Legal Services Authority to provide ₹1.5 lakh as additional compensation, along with ₹50,000 from the fine amount, to the victim girl.

The investigation was conducted by then Dharmasthala Station House Officer Samarth Ravindra Ganigere, who filed the charge sheet. Sahanadevi Boluru, Special Public Prosecutor for POCSO cases, argued the case on behalf of the prosecution.