PANJIM: The Fast Track Special Court (POCSO), Panjim, on Monday convicted and sentenced a 54-year-old teacher to 11 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000, or in default, simple imprisonment of 30 days.
The accused, Mahesh Chanekar of Bazarpeth, Pernem, was also sentenced under Section 506(II) of the IPC to one year’s rigorous imprisonment. Under Section 4 of the POCSO Act, he was awarded 11 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000, or 15 days’ simple imprisonment in default. Under Section 8 of the POCSO Act, he was further sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000, or 10 days’ simple imprisonment in default.
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Presiding Officer Pooja C Kavlekar directed that if the fines are realised, they shall be paid to the victim as compensation after the appeal period. The court also said the victim would be entitled to compensation under the Goa Victim Compensation Scheme for Victims of Sexual Assault and Other Crimes, 2018, if not already paid. The period of custody will be set off, and all sentences will run concurrently.
Chanekar was arrested on June 15, 2020, chargesheeted under Sections 376 and 506(II) of the IPC and Sections 4 and 8 of the POCSO Act, and released on April 15, 2021.
The prosecution said that between 2015 and September 2, 2019, the accused repeatedly had forcible sexual intercourse with the victim at his residence, threatening to fail her in Science and circulate her photographs and videos.
