Mangaluru: Teacher sentenced to 5 years for sexual harassment of minor student
Mangaluru: The Additional District and Sessions Court (POCSO FTC-1) has sentenced a teacher to five years in prison and imposed a fine of ₹10,000 for sexually harassing a minor girl student.
The convicted individual, Guruvappa Mogera, a 49-year-old resident of Kallamundkur in the Hathyadka Arasinamakki area, was accused of sexual misconduct towards the student. It was reported that the teacher, while in his profession, would call students to a separate room in the school under the pretext of discussing doubts related to their lessons. He allegedly called individual students into the room and subjected them to sexual harassment, leading to complaints being filed with the school principal.
On March 12, 2024, one student reported that the teacher had harassed her twice. Following this, a case was registered at the Women’s Police Station. Four other students also came forward with similar complaints.
In the proceedings of the case, Judge D. Vinay of the District and Sessions Court (POCSO FTC-1) examined the evidence and sentenced the teacher under IPC Section 354 (sexual harassment) to one year of simple imprisonment and a fine of ₹2,000; if the fine is not paid, an additional three months of imprisonment will be imposed. Under POCSO Section 10, he received a five-year sentence and a fine of ₹5,000, with a one-year imprisonment for non-payment. Additionally, under POCSO Section 12, he was sentenced to three years and a fine of ₹3,000, with a one-year imprisonment for non-payment.
The court also ordered that ₹1 lakh be paid as compensation to the victim by the Legal Services Authority.
In connection with the case, Women's Police Station Sub-Inspector Shivrudramma S. submitted the charge sheet. Special Public Prosecutor Sahanadevi Boluru argued on behalf of the student.
Following the Supreme Court's directive to treat POCSO cases with seriousness and to expedite the hearings in court, a verdict has been delivered in this case in just seven months.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
