INDIA: MAN GETS DEATH PENALTY FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT, MURDER OF MINOR GIRL IN KARNATAKA

September 18, 2025:

In additional district and sessions court-cum-fast track court in Mangaluru on September 10, 2025 convicted and sentenced a 51-year-old man to death after finding him guilty of raping and murdering a 13-year-old girl in Mangaluru.
The convicted is Fakirappa Hanamappa Madara, a resident of Hanchinala village, Savadatti taluk, Belagavi.
The minor girl, originally from Chunchanur village in Belagavi, was studying in Class 9 at the Morarji Desai Residential School, Konaje.
Her mother had left her at a relative’s house before going to her native place. On August 6, 2024, the complainant (the girl’s uncle) had gone out for construction work while his wife had also gone to her native place. Between 9 am and 9:15 am, the girl was alone at home. At that time, Fakirappa, who was living in a rented house next door, entered the victim's house. He sexually assaulted the girl and later strangled her to death. After committing the crime, he fled the scene.
A case was registered at the Panambur Police Station in connection with the murder. The police who investigated the case arrested him.
The case was heard in the Additional District and Sessions Court, FTSC-II (POCSO Court). Judge KS Maanu found the accused guilty and pronounced the judgement.
Under BNS 332(A) (illegal trespass), he was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 5,000; in default, four months of simple imprisonment.
The life sentences will run concurrently.
Out of the fine, Rs 1 lakh must be paid to the victim’s parents. In addition, the District Legal Services Authority has been directed to provide Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the parents. The case was investigated by Panambur Police Station Inspector Mohammad Saleem Abbas, who filed the chargesheet. Special Public Prosecutor Sahana Devi Boloor argued on behalf of the prosecution. The judgement order has asked the authorities to submit the entire records pertaining to the proceedings to the High Court of Karnataka for confirmation of the sentence of death penalty.