PANJIM: The Goa Children’s Court on Thursday sentenced former Pernem Municipal Council (PMC) chairperson Vasudeo Deshprabhu to undergo three months simple imprisonment and pay a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh for abusing and assaulting three minor boys at Mapusa.
The Court has however suspended the implementation of the order till December 12, so as to allow the accused to challenge it in the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
The incident occurred at Khorlim-Mapusa on October 3, 2013, when three boys were having snacks on the terrace of the building in which Deshprabhu resides.
Deshprabhu allegedly assaulted them with a stick for not following his instructions to leave the place. One of the boys received grievous injuries and was admitted in Asilo Hospital, Mapusa. The victim was later treated in the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bambolim.
The Mapusa Police had registered a case against Deshprabhu under Sections 326, 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under the Section 8 of the Goa Children’s Act. He was later chargesheeted by the police before the Goa Children’s Court.
In September, the Goa Children’s Court President Judge Sayonora Telles Lad held Deshprabhu guilty under Section 326 of IPC and under the Goa Children’s Act and acquitted him from the Sections 504 and 506 of IPC.
However, the pronouncing of the sentence which was fixed on September 25 was postponed due to various reasons including the accused as he was out of station.
Adv T Sawant argued on behalf of the accused and public prosecutor Francisca Noronha represented the State.
