BENGALURU: A special POCSO court in Mysuru has sentenced a labourer from Bihar to 43 years in prison for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl.
Judge Shayma Khamroz found Najeeb (33) guilty and sentenced him on charges under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
A fine for Rs 50,000 was imposed on him.
Najeeb was employed in Vinish Darshan Katewari Stud Farm owned by Kannada actor Darshan.
He used to look after the horses at the farmhouse located on T Narasipura Road.
According to prosecution, the 33-year-old man repeatedly sexually assaulted the minor in 2021.
The matter came to light after the victim narrated the ordeal to her parents, who brought it to the notice of the stud farm management.
Subsequently, a complaint was lodged with the police, following which a case was registered.
The court directed Karnataka State Legal Services Authority to release a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to the victim.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault.)
