HC cuts jail term in Pocso case for lack of ‘valid reason’

Partly allowing the appeal filed by the accused, 27, from Chikkamagaluru, a division bench comprising Justices Sreenivas Harish Kumar and CM Joshi, however, increased the fine slapped on him by a special court from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000. The accused had befriended a minor girl in his neighbourhood. In June 2016, he sexually assaulted her repeatedly. The accused had befriended a minor girl in his neighbourhood. In June 2016, he sexually assaulted her repeatedly.