Karnataka court sentences man to 20 years for sexual assault of minor girl
Mangaluru (Karnataka)(PTI): A fast-track special court here has sentenced a 50-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl.
The convict, identified as Abubakkar, was booked by the Bantwal Rural police station in under Sections 64(1) (rape) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant section of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to police, the incident dates back to March 29, 2025 when the accused sexually assaulted the minor girl in his neighbourhood and threatened her from disclosing about it.
The case was investigated by then Police Inspector Shivakumar B, who collected the necessary evidence and filed a charge sheet against the accused before the court.
After hearing the case, the District and Sessions Court (Fast Track Special Court-FTSC-2) in Mangaluru last week found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison along with a fine of Rs 50,000.
Special Public Prosecutor Sahana Devi represented the prosecution and argued the case before the court.
Head Constable Prashanth Kumar and Police Constable Santosh Jadhav of Bantwal Rural Police Station assisted in the investigation and court proceedings, police said.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
