The Second Additional District Special POCSO Court in Dharwad has sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl and has imposed a fine of ₹55,000.
Judge Rajkumar C. also directed that the victim be paid compensation of ₹6 lakh from the Victim Compensation Fund.
According to the prosecution, the accused, Prashant Gouda Neelappagoudra, 37, who was married, induced the minor to accompany him on the promise of marriage and sexually assaulted her. He threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone. The victim subsequently became pregnant and delivered a child at KIMS Hospital in Hubballi on June 26, 2024.
Her father had lodged a complaint at the Kalaghatagi Police Station, and Inspector Shreeshail Koujalagi investigated the case and filed a chargesheet. Public prosecutor Shaila Angadi represented the prosecution.
Published - October 17, 2026 08:18 pm IST