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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India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
