Man gets 15 years RI for raping niece

Mangaluru Additional District and Sessions Judge FTSCI filed a case against a 32-year-old man for raping his 15-year-old niece last year. The accused must also pay a fine of Rs. 50000 under Section 6 of the Pocso Act, Special Public Prosecutor Venkataramana Swamy said. The incident took place on August 9, 2021 when the survivor, a class 10 student, was returning home along with her friend after visiting their school to submit notes and worksheets. The accused, who noticed them from a bus stand, followed the survivor and her friend and then abused her friend and sent her away. He then reportedly asked for the phone number of the survivor when she refused and prevented her from going further. He then forcibly took her to a hilly area and raped her. Her friend who noticed the accused taking her rushed home and informed the family. The villagers reached the spot and her mother was informed on realising that her daughter was sexually assaulted. A case was registered and subsequently, the accused was arrested on August 15. A chargesheet was filed before the court and the court examined 13 witnesses and marked 17 documents, Inspector Dinesh Kumar was the investigating officer.