POCSO court sentences auto driver to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment in Kalaburagi

The prosecution stated that the accused lured the victim to his residence in Rahmat Nagar under the pretext of marriage and sexually assaulted her. | Image for representation | Photo Credit: Amarnath K _12195 A District Special POCSO Court (Fast Track Special Court-1) in Kalaburagi sentenced a man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹35,000 after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a minor girl.Judge S.L. Chavan delivered the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides and determining that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.The convict, identified as Waseem Sheikh, an autorickshaw driver, came into contact with the victim when she was a second-year PU student. According to the investigation, Sheikh befriended the girl during her daily commute to college and obtained her phone number to stay in touch.The prosecution stated that the accused lured the victim to his residence in Rahmat Nagar under the pretext of marriage and sexually assaulted her. Sheikh assaulted her again at his house on March 15, 2025. He provided her with medication and later verbally abused and threatened her when she blocked his phone number.Following a complaint, a case was registered at the University Police Station. Police Inspector Susheel Kumar initiated the investigation, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Sub-Urban Sub-Division) D.G. Rajanna submitted the charge sheet to the court.Upon evaluating the evidence and witness statements, the court convicted Sheikh under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, sentencing him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine.Additionally, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to pay ₹5 lakh as compensation to the survivor.Special Public Prosecutor Shanthaveer B. Thuppad represented the prosecution in the case. Published - September 26, 2026 07:32 pm IST