KALABURAGI — In a series of judgments delivered recently, courts in Kalaburagi have imposed significant prison terms and hefty fines on individuals convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and related statutes. The sentences, often amounting to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, underscore a stringent judicial approach to offenses involving minors. Fines frequently accompany these sentences, with amounts ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹2.5 lakh, and provisions for additional simple imprisonment in cases of default.
The core of these rulings lies in the conviction of accused parties for acts including abduction, repeated rape, stalking, and criminal intimidation of underage individuals. These convictions are being secured under specific sections of the POCSO Act, such as Section 6 and Section 12, as well as provisions within the newer Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 78 and 351(2), and in at least one instance, the SC/ST Act. The narratives accompanying these judgments often describe the accused befriending, luring, or abducting the victims under pretenses of love and marriage, subsequently subjecting them to sexual violence.
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Several cases highlight judicial pronouncements by Additional District and Sessions Courts (Special POCSO) in Kalaburagi, with multiple judges, including Justice S.L. Chavan and Mohammad Mujirullah CJ, presiding over these sensitive matters. The speed with which investigations are conducted, culminating in chargesheets and subsequent judgments, appears to be a notable aspect, with Special Public Prosecutors playing a visible role in presenting the prosecution's arguments.
Beyond punitive measures, courts have also directed the provision of financial relief to victims. Orders for compensation from the legal aid authority have been issued, with sums like ₹3 lakh and ₹4 lakh mentioned in specific rulings, aimed at providing some measure of support to survivors of these heinous crimes. The complex web of legal processes, involving police investigations, chargesheets, and court proceedings, forms the backdrop against which these sentences are handed down.
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A Pattern of Severity
The consistency in the 20-year sentence across multiple cases suggests a deliberate judicial stance against such offenses. For example, a 30-year-old man was recently sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a ₹25,000 fine under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, along with additional penalties under the BNS. Similarly, other reports detail convictions resulting in 20 years of imprisonment and varying fines, indicating a uniform application of severe penalties.
The dates of publication for these reports span from October 2025 to July 2026, illustrating a continuous trend of significant sentencing in POCSO-related cases within the Kalaburagi region over the past year. This sustained judicial response reflects the ongoing societal and legal efforts to address and deter crimes against children.
