The prosecution contended that while the child was alone at home, Byndoor the accused visited her place and continued to rape her, warning her not to tell anyone.
A special court in Udupi awarded a rigorous 20-year prison sentence to Byndoor resident for sexual assault on a minor girl under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) as well as ordered him to pay Rs2 lakh compensation.
Madhukar Marathi aged 24 years was given his sentence by Additional District Judge Srinivasa Suvarna who is also the Special Judge (POCSO Act). He had been earlier found guilty of having committed offences punishable under sections 5 and 6 of the POCSO Act (aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a minor) and section 376 (2) (f) (n) IPC (Repeated Rape by a Relative).
Byndoor Circle Inspector of Police P.D. Savithru Tej carried out the investigation and filed charge sheet in September 2023 with special public prosecutor Y.T. Raghavendra leading for prosecution. According to prosecution, Madhukar Marathi raped the young girl when she came visiting his house in June 2023. The same day he went again when she was alone at home and molested her with threats against disclosure.
Her parents were told by doctors when they took her for medical examination after health problems that she had become pregnant. Also, a complaint was lodged at the police station by Madhukar’s mother against him as hospital authorities informed them about it too.
15 witnesses were examined by the prosecutors out of thirty. The court established beyond doubt that there were conclusive charges based on both victim’s testimony and DNA test report confirming sexual assault committed by defendant.
