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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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
