Mangaluru: Man sentenced to 10 years RI for sexual assault on endosulfan victim

Mangaluru: A court here sentenced a man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting an intellectually challenged endosulfan victim.

Rajesh Rai (33) of Peruvai village in Bantwal was convicted by the Second Additional District and Sessions Court (Special Court) for the crime.

The incident took place on October 1, 2015. Noticing that the 19-year-old victim was alone at home, Rajesh Rai had sexually assaulted her by promising to marry her. A case had been registered at the Vitla Police Station. The Then-ASP Rahul Kumar had filed a charge sheet under the SC/ST Atrocities Act against the accused.

After hearing the witnesses, arguments, and other evidence, Judge Preeti K P Held the accused guilty. He was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 under section 372(2)(L) of IPC and a 3-month imprisonment under section 448 of IPC. The court also directed the Legal Services Authority to compensate the victim.

Public prosecutor Jyothi Pramod Nayak argued on behalf of the State.