A Special POSCO Court in Kalaburagi has sentenced a 20-year-old youth to life imprisonment and has imposed a fine of ₹55,000 for repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor girl after falsely promising to marry her.

The convict has been identified as Razak Sab Sheikh, a resident of Hamal Sangh in the APMC Yard area within the Kalaburagi Sub-Urban Police Station limits.

According to the prosecution, Razak had allegedly lured a 16-year-old girl with the promise of marriage. He subsequently took her to a silk factory in Ram Nagar, Kalaburagi city, where he subjected her to continuous sexual assault. Following the incident, a case was registered at the Kalaburagi Sub-Urban Police Station.

The then investigating officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police D.G. Rajanna, conducted a thorough probe and filed a comprehensive chargesheet against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

After hearing the arguments, Justice S.L. Chavan of the Additional District and Sessions Court (Special POSCO Court) found the accused guilty. Alongside the life sentence, the court ordered the convict to pay a fine of ₹55,000.

In a significant directive, the court has ordered the District Legal Services Authority to pay a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the victim within one month from the date of the verdict.

Special public prosecutor Shanthaveer B. Thuppad argued the case on behalf of the State.