Udupi: A 27-year-old autorickshaw driver named Keshav Naika from Brahmavar has been sentenced to 24 years of rigorous imprisonment by the POCSO Special Court in Udupi. 

The conviction is related to the rape and impregnation of a minor girl, whom Keshav used to transport to school regularly. 

The incident occurred on February 17, 2023, when Keshav expressed his feelings to the girl and subsequently raped her at a lodge, threatening her to keep it a secret. 

However, when the victim became pregnant, she disclosed the truth to her parents, leading to the filing of a complaint at the Udupi Women’s Police station against Keshav.

The investigation, conducted by the then police inspector Jayananda K, resulted in the filing of a charge sheet. Among the 28 witnesses, 16 provided their statements in the court proceedings.