Pocso court awards 40-year RI to convict for rape of disabled minor girl

Belagavi: The special Pocso court in Belagavi sentenced a person to 40 years of rigorous imprisonment for the sexual assault of a minor girl with physical and intellectual disabilities.The convict, identified as Dhareppa alias Dheeraj Angat Khanase,25, a resident of Karajaga village in Hukkeri taluk, was found guilty by judge CM Pushpalatha of the additional district and sessions court (special fast-track Pocso court).The assault occurred on Aug 25, 2025, when the survivor was sitting outside her home. According to the prosecution, the accused observed that the girl was alone, forcibly dragged her inside the house, gagged her to suppress her cries, and committed the assault. The investigation also established that the accused was aware of the victim's Scheduled Caste status at the time of the offence.The case was registered at Sankeshwar police station following a complaint by the survivor's mother. The investigation was led by DSP Ravi Naik of the Gokak subdivision, with subsequent proceedings handled by police inspector Mahantesh Hosapeti of the Nippani subdivision. A chargesheet was filed upon completion of the probe.During the trial, the court examined eight witnesses, 58 documents, and 7 material objects as evidence, before concluding that the charges against the accused were proven beyond reasonable doubt.The court directed the District Legal Services Authority to disburse Rs 6 lakh as compensation to the survivor.