Hans News Service Rajamahendravaram

A special POCSO court in Kakinada has sentenced a 25-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl. The accused was identified as Gummadi Rajasekhar of Kovvur town in East Godavari district. According to police, the accused allegedly lured the minor girl from Singavaram village in Seethanagaram mandal by offering her biscuits and chocolates and took her along with him before sexually assaulting her. Based on a complaint, Seethanagaram police registered a case in Crime No 179/2020.

North Zone DSP P Satyanarayana Rao conducted the investigation and collected scientific evidence, medical examination reports and statements of the victim, including the statement recorded under Section 164 CrPC. A charge sheet was subsequently filed before the Special POCSO Court in Kakinada.

During the trial, Special Public Prosecutor P Sridevi presented the prosecution evidence before the court and advanced arguments to establish the charges against the accused.

After completion of the trial, Special POCSO Court Judge K Sridevi found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000. In default of payment of the fine, he would undergo an additional three months of simple imprisonment.

The court directed that the Rs 5,000 fine be paid to the victim as compensation after expiry of the appeal period. District SP D Narasimha Kishore appreciated Special Public Prosecutor Sridevi, former North Zone DSP P Satyanarayana, CI SVVS Murthy, SI L Srinunayak, and other staff for their role in the investigation, prosecution and monitoring of the trial.