Mangaluru Court sentences man to death for sexual assault, murder of minor girl
Mangaluru: The Additional District and Sessions Court (FTSC-2 POCSO), Mangaluru, on Friday sentenced Fakirappa Hanumappa Madar (58), a resident of Hanchinal village in Savadatti taluk, Belagavi district, to death for sexually assaulting and brutally murdering a minor girl.
The victim, originally from Chunchanur village in Belagavi, was a Class 9 student at Morarji Desai Residential School, Konaje. On August 6, 2024, when her uncle was away for work and his wife had gone to her native place, the girl was left alone at their house. Taking advantage of the situation, the accused, who lived in the adjoining rented house, trespassed into the residence, sexually assaulted her, bit her face, and later strangled her with a cloth before fleeing. The case was registered at Panambur police station.
Following his arrest, the trial was conducted before Judge K.S. Manu, who found Fakirappa guilty and awarded him the death penalty under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder. Additionally, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 under Section 4(2) of the POCSO Act, with four months of simple imprisonment in default of payment. Under Section 332(A) of the BNS (trespass), he was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 5,000, with four months’ simple imprisonment in default.
The court also directed that Rs 1 lakh from the fine amount be given to the girl’s parents, along with an additional compensation of Rs 4 lakh from the District Legal Services Authority, totaling Rs 5 lakh.
Inspector Muhammad Saleem Abbas of Panambur investigated the case and filed the charge sheet. Special Public Prosecutor Sahana Devi Boluru represented the State.
Key Evidence:
A day before her death, the victim had called her mother using a neighbour woman’s phone, saying she was unwell. The next day, when the mother again called on the same number, the neighbour and another woman went to hand over the phone to the girl and reportedly saw Fakirappa inside the house. These two women turned into eyewitnesses in court, while 16 others were examined as circumstantial witnesses.
Forensic evidence also confirmed the crime, with the victim’s blood samples matching the stains found on the accused’s clothes. Bite marks on the girl’s face matched the dental impression of the accused. Together, the eyewitness accounts, circumstantial evidence, and forensic reports led to the conviction and harsh sentencing.
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1,850 missing mobile phones recovered as Delhi Police focusses on victim-centric policing
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police has recovered 1,850 stolen and lost mobile phones worth around Rs 4 crore in past 40 days under "Mission Reconnect", an initiative aimed at returning phones to their rightful owners in outernorth Delhi, an official said on Saturday.
The recovered phones were traced from different parts of the country, including remote areas, through technical surveillance and sustained field operations, police said, adding that the devices were handed over to their owners during a programme at the Sports Ground, New Police Lines, Kingsway Camp.
The initiative focused on a victim-centric approach and aimed at strengthening public trust through proactive policing and coordinated efforts across states, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outernorth) Hareshwar Swami said.
As part of the programme, teams performed 'nukkad nataks' and screened awareness videos on cybercrime, drug abuse prevention, and senior citizen safety, sensitising the public about digital frauds and safety measures, officials said.
The initiative combines technology, investigation and community participation to ensure recovery of lost property and reconnect citizens with their valuables, they added.
