Hyderabad City Police Secures Conviction in Major POCSO Case: Stringent Sentences for Offenders

(Judicial Quest News Network)

Hyderabad, January 24, 2025

In a significant achievement, the Chatrinaka Division of the Hyderabad City Police has secured a conviction in a high-profile POCSO case. The case, under Special Court for POCSO (SCPCS) No: 122/2023, culminated with a judgment on January 24, 2025, by the Hon’ble 12th Sessions Judge for POCSO, Nampally, Hyderabad. The judgment was pronounced following a trial that addressed serious criminal charges, including sexual assault and multiple offenses under the POCSO Act, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Details of the Case and Conviction

The case stems from a tragic incident that involved the abuse and exploitation of a young victim. The accused were charged under multiple sections, including Section 5(g) and Section 6 of the POCSO Act 2012, and several sections of the IPC (341, 342, 323, 420, 376(D) r/w 109) along with Section 3(1)(w)(i) of the SC/ST Act. The judgment marked a decisive moment in the pursuit of justice for the victim.

The accused in the case were:

• A1) Mekala Rahul, Age: 21 years, Private work, Chatrinaka, Alwin Colony
• A2) M. Nitin, Age: 19 years, Electrician, Near Gowlipura
• A3) G. Deekshit, Age: 19 years, Decoration work, Bhoiyaguda, Chatrinaka
• A4) D. Mallesh, Age: 18 years, Student, Shivaganga Nagar, Chatrinaka
• A5) Warrant issued against this accused
• A6) M. Raj Kumar, Age: 18 years, Student, Shivaganga Nagar (Acquitted)

Sentencing and Compensation

The Hon’ble 12th Sessions Judge, Smt. T. Anitha, handed down strict sentences to the convicted individuals:

1. Accused No. 1 (Mekala Rahul) and Accused No. 2 (M. Nitin) have been sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000 each for the offense under Section 5(g) r/w 6 of the POCSO Act.
2. Accused No. 3 (G. Deekshit) and Accused No. 4 (D. Mallesh) were sentenced to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000 each for offenses under Section 7 of the POCSO Act.
3. Accused No. 1 (Mekala Rahul) has been further sentenced to 6 months of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹500 for the offense under Section 323 of the IPC.
4. Accused No. 1 to 4 were sentenced to 6 months of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹2,000 each for the offense under Section 342 of the IPC.
5. Accused No. 3 (G. Deekshit) and Accused No. 4 (D. Mallesh) were sentenced to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹5,000 each for the offense under Section 3(1)(w)(i) of the SC/ST (POA) Act.

Victim Compensation

In addition to the sentences, the court directed that a compensation of ₹7 lakh be provided to the victim, recognizing the severity of the trauma caused. The decision to award compensation underscores the commitment to support the victim in her long recovery journey.

Investigation and Legal Team

The conviction was made possible through the diligent efforts of the investigative team and the legal authorities involved in the case:

• Investigation Officer: Shaik Jahangir, Addl. DCP (Ex. ACP Falaknuma Division)
• Public Prosecutor: Sri A. Ram Reddy, Additional Public Prosecutor
• Legal Support Officers: Smt. T. Kalpana, Smt. Uma (ASI of Police, Bharosa)
• CDOs: Sri S. Tirupathi Rao (PC 5296, PS Shahalibanda)
• Process Duty: A. Ravi Kumar (PC 3554, PS Chatrinaka)
• Warranty Duty: G. Sai Kumar (PC 9904)
• Trial Monitoring: Sri V. Srinivas Reddy (Former SHO) and Inspector of Police, Chatrinaka Police Station, Sri K. N. Prasad Varma (SHO, Chatrinaka Police Station), Sri Ch. Chandra Shekar (ACP, Chatrinaka)

The case was actively supervised and monitored by the police leadership, including Dy. Commissioner of Police, South Zone, Hyderabad.

Conclusion

This conviction serves as a testament to the commitment of the Hyderabad City Police and the judiciary in delivering justice for vulnerable victims, ensuring that the perpetrators of heinous crimes are held accountable. It is also a clear message that crimes against women and children will not be tolerated, and stringent legal actions will be taken to safeguard the rights and dignity of every individual. The Chatrinaka Police, through their relentless efforts, have once again demonstrated their dedication to upholding law and justice in the community.