A Chikkamagaluru court on Monday (June 15) convicted a man accused of sexually assaulting a minor and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, besides slapping him with a fine of ₹25,000.

The Kalasa police registered a case in November 2024 against Anil Poojari, 30, on charges of sexually assaulting a minor girl, under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. M.G. Balaji Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Koppa sub-division, conducted the investigation and filed the chargesheet.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge and FTSC-1 pronounced the judgement. The court also ordered a compensation of ₹4 lakh to the victim under the Karnataka Victim Compensation Scheme. Special public prosecutor B. Bharath Kumar represented the prosecution, said a press release.