Why 20-year jail term in Kondapur POCSO case
HYDERABAD: A fast-track court in Rajendranagar has sentenced Meenagala Venugopal alias Venu, 45, to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl in Kondapur in 2023.
The court also imposed a fine of ₹3,000 and directed that ₹3 lakh be paid as compensation to the victim.
Court convicts accused after full trial in POCSO case
The case was registered at Gachibowli police station as Crime No. 642/2023 under Sections 376AB and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 5(m)(i) read with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015.
Venugopal, son of M. Venkateshwarlu, worked as a centring worker and lived in Raghavendra Colony, Kondapur. He was a native of Penelli in Manchavaram mandal of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.
The victim, a minor girl from Kondapur, was studying in Class II when the offence took place. According to police, Venugopal lived near her house and took the girl to his hut, where he sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions.
He also threatened her against disclosing the assaults to anyone.
The girl later informed her mother and other family members. Her mother lodged a complaint with police on May 16, 2023.
A civil surgeon examined the girl and found injuries consistent with sexual assault. Forensic examination of the evidence collected during the investigation also detected human semen and spermatozoa.
Police seized the victim’s clothes and the blanket used in connection with the offence. Investigators recorded the statements of the victim, her family members, other witnesses, police personnel and forensic experts.
Police arrest accused and file charge sheet
Police arrested Venugopal on May 18, 2023. After completing the investigation, they filed a charge sheet before the court.
Following a full trial, the Fast Track Special Judge for Trial and Disposal of Rape and POCSO Act Cases, Ranga Reddy district, at Rajendranagar, convicted Venugopal and sentenced him to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment.
The court also imposed a ₹3,000 fine and ordered ₹3 lakh in compensation for the victim.
Police said effective investigation and prosecution helped secure the conviction.
Madhapur Division Assistant Commissioner of Police P. Srinivas and Public Prosecutor Venkateshwar Reddy played a key role during the proceedings and presented the prosecution’s case before the court.
