Hyderabad man sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting his 15-year-old neighbour

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Special Sessions Judge Nampally Hyderabad T Anitha on Friday convicted Chinthala Manikya Rao of a 15-year-old girl, sentencing him to a 20-year jail and Rs 10,000 fine.

The victim resided with her paternal grandmother. During the holidays, she visited her father’s house. Manikya Rao, the accused also resided as a tenant in the adjacent house. Manikya Rao abused the victim by touching her inappropriately ever since she was in class IV. Manikya Rao took pictures and videos of the victim while she was bathing and changing her dress.

Manikya Rao threatened the victim that he would upload the pictures and videos of her on the social media platforms like Youtube and Facebook and sexually assaulted her repeatedly. He also threatened to kill her father and brother if she revealed the sexual harassment. Since April 2018, the victim had been missing her menstrual cycle and was suffering from stomach pain.

When the victim’s grandmother enquired, she revealed that the accused had been sexually abusing her for the last four years. Taking serious note, her grandmother filed a complaint at Chilkalguda police station. Later, the victim was shifted to Bharosa Centre where her statement was recorded.A case under Cr.No. 349/2018, U/sec. 363 & 376 (2)(i)(n) IPC and Sec. 5 (1) r/w 6 of POCSO Act 2012 and took up investigation.

After thorough enquiry, P Venkata Ramana, ACP, Gopalapuram Division, Secunderabad filed charge sheet U/sec. 366, 376(3) & 376 (2)(n) IPC and Sec. 5 (1) r/w 6 of the POCSO Act. After hearing all the arguments and analysing the case records, Special Sessions Judge for the POCSO Court T Anitha passed the judgement in the case convicting Chinthala Manikya Rao for 20 years of imprisonment. He was also fined Rs 10,000.

The Bharosa Centre facilitated the victim's family with counseling, medical, legal and financial support, apart from submission of documents for compensation. Hyderabad Commissioner of Police CV Anand lauded all the investigation officers.