Puttur court sentences minor rape accused to 20 years RI - The HinduPublished - October 29, 2026 10:13 pm IST - MANGALURUThe 7th Additional District and Sessions Court Judge, sitting in Puttur, Sumangala Chakalabbi, has sentenced Saddam, 34, of Noojibaltila in Kadaba taluk of Dakshina Kannada, to 20 years on finding him guilty of raping a minor girl.The Judge sentenced Saddam to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed fine of ₹50,000 for offences under Sections 5 (l) and 5(j)(ii), read with Section 6, of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act. On failure to pay the fine, he will undergo further imprisonment of one year. He was also sentenced to one year of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹25,000 for the offence under Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code. On failure to pay fine, he shall undergo further imprisonment of one year. All the sentences will run concurrently, the Judge stated.As per the chargesheet, Saddam entered the house of the minor girl and sexually assaulted her without her consent in Kadaba police station limits in 2019. Uppinangady Circle Inspector Nagesh K. investigated the case and submitted the chargesheet. Pushparaj Adhyantaya represented the prosecution before the court.The police said Saddam is a rowdy sheeter in Kadbada police station wherein he was accused in four criminal cases. He is also accused in a criminal case registered in 2022 in Uppinangady police station, the police said.Published - October 29, 2026 10:13 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }