Yadgir (Karnataka) [India], August 27 (ANI): Authorities have initiated legal proceedings under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a father and a relative for the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl, as reported by police.

The case was opened after the girl shared her experiences during a counseling session.

Law enforcement officials stated that the girl accused her father of inappropriate conduct and sexual abuse during her childhood. Following the revelation to her mother, the girl and her elder sister were moved to stay with relatives.

In addition, the girl claimed that she was sexually assaulted by a priest while residing at her relative’s home.

Based on her allegations, police have filed charges against the accused under Sections 75(2) and 65(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 4, 8, and 10 of the POCSO Act. An investigation is currently ongoing.

In a related development, a Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh recently sentenced an individual to three years of rigorous imprisonment for a POCSO-related offense. On August 5, the court also imposed two years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 333 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to Himachal Pradesh Police.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge at the Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) in Dharamshala convicted Ajay Kumar, a resident of Barota village in Kangra district, on July 30.

The court ordered the accused to serve three years of rigorous imprisonment and pay a fine of Rs 5,000 for the offense under Section 08 of the POCSO Act. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional month of simple imprisonment. Moreover, he received a two-year rigorous imprisonment sentence for the offense under Section 333 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with a similar fine and penalty for non-payment.