Mr.Sathisha v. State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka HC (Bengaluru), CRL.A No.1555 of 2021 (NC: 2026:KHC:21394), decided 02-04-2026 by Justice M.G.S. Kamal: appeal by accused Sathisha @ Sneha Hotel Sathisha against POCSO conviction in Spl.C.(POCSO) 68/2018, Mudigere/Chikkamagaluru (Ss.376(2)(f)(i)(n), 366-A, 506 IPC r/w 376(3); Ss.5(j)(ii), 5(l), 5(n) r/w 6 POCSO); conviction upheld on strength of Ex.P25 birth certificate and DNA paternity report Ex.P37; appeal dismissed; sentence rationalised to one 20-year term and a single Rs.40,000/- fine for the overlapping provisions.
What did the court decide?
Appeal against conviction dismissed (conviction upheld); however, the sentence was modified: a single 20-year imprisonment for the grouped offences under Sections 376(2)(i), (n) and (f) r/w 376(3) IPC and Sections 5(j)(ii), 5(l) and 5(n) r/w 6 POCSO, with one fine of Rs.40,000/- replacing the separate 20-year terms and three fines of Rs.40,000/- each; the remainder of the trial court's order confirmed.