Hyderabad: A special court sentenced a 45-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in a Gachibowli POCSO case involving the sexual assault of a minor girl. The Fast Track Special Court for trial and disposal of rape and POCSO Act cases convicted Meenagala Venugopal alias Venu after a full trial.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 3,000. In addition, it ordered payment of Rs 3 lakh as compensation to the victim. Venugopal, son of M. Venkateshwarlu, worked in centering construction and lived in Raghavendra Colony, Kondapur.
He hailed from Penelli in Manchavaram mandal of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Gachibowli police had registered Crime No. 642/2023 under Section 376AB and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.
Police also invoked Section 5(m)(i), read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act. Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015, was also invoked.
Gachibowli POCSO case involved minor girl
The Gachibowli POCSO case involved a minor girl from the Kondapur area of Cyberabad. According to the case details, Venugopal lived near the victim’s house and worked in centering construction.
The victim was studying in Class II at the time of the offence. The prosecution said Venugopal took the child to his hut and sexually assaulted her multiple times. He also threatened the girl against disclosing the assaults to anyone, according to the case.
However, the child later informed her mother and other family members about the sexual assault. Her mother subsequently approached police and lodged a complaint on May 16, 2023.
Following the complaint, a civil surgeon medically examined the victim. The examination found injuries consistent with sexual assault, according to the case details.
Police also collected evidence during their investigation. Forensic examination detected human semen and spermatozoa in the evidence collected in the case. Investigators seized the victim’s clothes and a blanket connected with the offence.
During the investigation, police recorded statements from the victim and her family members. They also obtained statements from other witnesses, police personnel and forensic experts.
Police arrested Venugopal on May 18, 2023. Subsequently, investigators completed the probe and filed a charge sheet before the competent court.
Gachibowli POCSO case concludes with conviction
After a full trial, the Fast Track Special Judge at Rajendranagar in Ranga Reddy district found Venugopal guilty. The court sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed the Rs 3,000 fine.
Moreover, the court directed that Rs 3 lakh be paid as compensation to the victim. Police credited the conviction to the investigation and prosecution of the case before the special court.
Madhapur Division Assistant Commissioner of Police P. Srinivas worked on securing the conviction during the proceedings. Public Prosecutor Venkateshwar Reddy also handled the prosecution and presented the case before the court.
Police said their investigation and the prosecution’s arguments resulted in the accused being convicted and sentenced.