Mysore/Mysuru: The Fast Track Special Court-1 (FTSC-1) Mysuru established to adjudicate cases related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has convicted and sentenced a 31-year-old man from Dharwad for 30 years of rigorous imprisonment for abusing a 14-year-old girl, who is his stepdaughter.

Judge Shayma Khamroz found Paramananda (31), a resident of Navalgund Taluk, Dharwad District, guilty and slapped a penalty and an additional six months in jail.

The perpetrator committed these acts when the minor girl (step-daughter)  was living with her mother in Mysuru. After the death of her husband, the woman used to do odd jobs in Mysuru and she came into contact with Paramananda from Navalgund through social media.

They eventually got married and a girl child was born to them. Paramananda used to work and the woman used to help her husband gain additional income by selling tea. But when she went out of the house to sell tea, the accused used to abuse his step daughter. Paramananda forcibly subjected the minor girl to physical contact over an extended period, including during her stay in Navalgund Taluk.

Using threats and coercion, he compelled the girl to keep silent about the abuse, further pressuring her to agree to marriage, after her puberty. The victim silently endured assaults for over four years and the perpetrator persisted in his criminal acts.

The case came to light when the girl, seizing an opportunity during her mother’s absence as she had been to the market to buy crackers for Deepavali, left home. Later, her mother launched a search for her and as she was unable to locate her daughter, a complaint was lodged in the K.R. Police Station.

Advocate turns Good Samaritan

In the meantime, an advocate returning from Chamundi Hill noticed a young girl walking alone on the steps. Alarmed by the situation, the advocate decided to approach and talk to the girl. Upon questioning, the girl expressed her desire to go to her grandmother’s house in Nanjangud and sought guidance on how to reach there.

When the advocate inquired about her parents, the girl responded negatively and expressed her determination to reach her grandmother’s house. Concerned for the girl’s well-being, the advocate escorted her to the Balamandira, where she was provided with food and shelter. Subsequently, the K.R. Police arrived at the Balamandira, and the girl shared her harrowing experience involving Paramananda.

The investigation, led by Inspector Mahesh resulted in the filing of a chargesheet against Paramananda under the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code. During the trial, Special Public Prosecutor K.B. Jayanthi presented a compelling case, resulting in the accused being found guilty.

In addition to the 30-year rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor, Paramananda was slapped with a fine of Rs. 1.01 lakh and an additional six months jail for intimidating the girl. The Court has ordered him to pay compensation of Rs. 75,000 to the victim out of the Rs. 1.01 lakh penalty. Moreover, the aggrieved minor girl is entitled to a compensation of Rs.  5,00,000, as ruled by the Court.