On June 9, the Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru handed down a significant verdict, sentencing 20-year-old Afrid Yane Appi to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 55,000. Afrid, a resident of Addur Pilikere near Gurupura, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl he met through social media. The girl, who lived in a rented house in Bantwala taluk, was raped by Afrid on May 27, 2024, when she was alone at home. He also threatened to make a video of the act viral if she did not agree to physical contact in the future, and subsequently sexually assaulted her multiple times. The victim, who was cheated by Afrid’s promises of marriage, attempted to take her own life by consuming phenol and was hospitalized for treatment. An investigation was conducted by Belthangadi Circle Inspector Ravi B.S., and a charge sheet was filed against Afrid. The court, presided over by Judge Manu K.S., imposed a fine of 50,000 rupees under the POCSO Act and IPC section 376 (2) (n), with an additional 4 months of imprisonment if the fine is not paid. The court also ordered a fine of 5,000 rupees under IPC section 506, with 15 days of simple imprisonment if the fine is not paid. The total fine amount of 55,000 rupees will be paid as compensation to the victim, in addition to 5.45 lakh rupees from the District Legal Service Authority. POCSO Special Public Prosecutor Sahanadevi Bolur argued on behalf of the government.
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📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK