Mandya: The Mandya Additional District Sessions Court, which also functions as a Fast Track Court, has handed down a 17-year jail term to a man accused of sexually assaulting a minor.

The accused, identified as K.J. Sampath, a resident of Sathanur village in Mandya taluk but residing in K. Hosahalli village in Nagamangala taluk, was sentenced by Special Judge K.A. Nagajyothi.

The incident occurred on Nov. 6, 2015, when the accused, who had been observing a 13-year-old girl’s routine of going to and from school, approached her near the Kalikamba Temple in the town. He coerced her into assisting him in transporting a bicycle purportedly meant for his sister to his home.

Subsequently, he forcibly took the girl to a forested area near Hampapura, approximately 8 to 10 kilometers away from Mandya, where he threatened her with a knife and subjected her to sexual harassment.

Following the incident, the then Sub-Inspector of Mandya East Police Station registered a case, leading to the arrest and interrogation of the accused, during which the details of the crime emerged.

The case was subsequently transferred to Keregodu Police Station, where the then Circle Inspector B.K. Suresh Kumar initiated legal proceedings under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. After thorough investigation, a charge-sheet was submitted to the Court.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Special Judge K.M. Nagajyothi found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 17 years in jail. Special Public Prosecutor Hebbakavadi Nagaraju represented the Government in the case.