Man gets four year jail in POCSO case in Anantapur

A POCSO special court in Anantapur on Wednesday sentenced a 29-year-old man to four years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹4,000 for sexually harassing a minor girl. The court also directed the State government to pay ₹50,000 as compensation to the victim.

The accused, Muthyala Sampath of Chinna Matlagondi village in Singanamala mandal, was convicted in a case registered in June 2020. According to the prosecution, the accused entered the house of a 15-year-old girl under the pretext of seeking drinking water when she was alone, bolted the doors, and behaved indecently. He allegedly threatened her when she raised an alarm. The girl managed to escape and informed her relatives, following which a complaint was lodged at Singanamala police station.

Police registered a case under sections 354(A), 506 and 7 read with 8 of the POCSO Act.