A special court in Belagavi dedicated to cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing a self-proclaimed Hatha Yogi to 35 years of rigorous imprisonment for the kidnapping and rape of a minor girl. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the convict.
Details of the Heinous Crime
The convict, identified as 30-year-old Lokeshwar Swami, also known as Lokeshwar Sabanna Jambagi, originally from Chittapur in Kalaburagi district, was residing in Mekhali village of Raibag taluk. According to the prosecution's case, the horrific incident unfolded on May 13, 2025. The accused lured the minor girl into his car under the false pretext of dropping her home.
Instead of taking her home, he abducted her. The journey took them via Mahalingpur to Bagalkot and then proceeded to Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh. In Mantralayam, he booked a room in a lodge where he sexually assaulted the survivor on May 14. Shockingly, two days later, he returned to Bagalkot, checked into another lodge, and assaulted her again. Before finally releasing her at the Mahalingpur bus stand, he threatened to kill her if she ever revealed the ordeal to anyone.
Investigation and Swift Court Proceedings
The case was initially registered at the Mudalagi police station. The investigation, led by CPI Shrishail Byakod, was bolstered by crucial CCTV footage that confirmed the abduction. Given the severity of the crime under the POCSO Act, the matter was transferred to the Special Fast Track POCSO Court-01 in Belagavi for expedited trial.
Judge CM Pushpalata presided over the trial, meticulously examining evidence that included testimonies from eight witnesses, 78 documents, and 9 material exhibits. A day before announcing the sentence, the court found the accused guilty on multiple charges under the POCSO Act.
Landmark Sentence and Compensation for Survivor
The court pronounced a cumulative sentence amounting to 35 years of rigorous imprisonment for the various offences. The judge warned that failure to pay the imposed fine of Rs 1 lakh would result in additional jail time.
In a significant move towards restorative justice, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to pay a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the survivor. This amount is to be kept in a nationalised bank as a fixed deposit for a period of five years to secure her future. The prosecution was represented by Special Public Prosecutor LV Patil.
This verdict underscores the judiciary's commitment to delivering swift and severe punishment in cases of sexual violence against children, sending a strong deterrent message to potential offenders.
