MANDYA, 12 JULY 

The Mandya District Sessions court in the State has sentenced 53-year-old Shivanna to life imprisonment for the horrific sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in Srirangapatna taluk last December. The incident occurred when Shivanna lured the child from her home while she was playing outside, and subsequently raped her, threatening her to remain silent about the crime. Following a thorough investigation by local police, a chargesheet was filed. Government prosecutor Hebbakavadi Nagaraju presented the case before Sessions Judge Dilip, who examined the evidence before finding Shivanna guilty under rigorous provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Judge Dilip highlighted the heinous nature of the crime before passing the life imprisonment sentence.