Man gets 20 years of RI in minor sexual assault case

Belagavi: A Special POCSO court in Belagavi sentenced Devraj Ashok Metri, 28, of Hunashyal village in Mudalagi taluk to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor girl.According to the prosecution, Metri was acquainted with the victim for nearly two years and lured her with false promise of marriage. The girl went missing on Sept 14, 2023, following which her parents filed a complaint.During the investigation, police found that Metri kidnapped the girl on a motorcycle, took her to a newly rented house, and sexually assaulted her. He later took her by train from Belagavi to Bengaluru. While returning via Hubballi, he was arrested near Koujalagi village on Sept 17, 2023.Inspector Shrishail Byakud investigated the case and submitted the chargesheet to the court. Judge CM Pushpalata found Metri guilty based on the testimony of nine witnesses, 44 documents, and 13 material exhibits.The court awarded him 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a Rs 10,000 fine. It also directed that Rs 4 lakh compensation be paid to the survivor through the District Legal Services Authority. Public prosecutor advocate LV Patil represented the case.