Udupi: Rape of deaf and mute minor girl proved in court, verdict reserved

Udupi, Feb 20: District additional and sessions POCSO special court justice Yadav Vanamala Anand Rao who heard arguments of the case involving the rape of 15 year old deaf and mute girl making her deliver a baby girl has concluded that the guilt of the accused are proved and reserved the verdict for February 22.

The case was registered in Karkala rural police station in 2019. Harish (33), the neighbour of 15-year-old deaf and mute girl had escorted her to his residence and raped her. The matter did not surface as the girl was deaf and dumb. She suffered stomach pain on a night in 2019 and was bleeding. She was taken to the hospital, where she had delivered a baby girl. The mother of the victim had complained to the police. The girl who had studied till seventh standard had identified the accused by hand signs and writing. The accused was arrested under POCSO Act.

The then Karkala in charge CPI Mahesh Prasad initially conducted investigations. Circle police inspector Sampath Kumar who conducted investigations subsequent to it had submitted a charge sheet to the court. 13 witnesses including the mother of the victim out of 22 witnesses had testified in the court. The DNA report also was conducive.

The then audiology department staff of Udupi district hospital Kamala Boyer had helped the victim to register her statement in the court. Manipal KMC hospital speech and hearing therapy division’s Dr Kishan and Dr Bhargavi P G had assisted under court directions.