Shivamogga: Thirthahalli police raided a house in Aklapura and seized a locally manufactured firearm, arresting a 56-year-old man, Sudhakar Achari.The raid followed specific inputs that the suspect was manufacturing illegal country-made weapons. During the operation, police recovered a firearm from his possession. He was arrested for possessing the weapon without a valid licence or permit.Police said Sudhakar, who earlier repaired firearms in the Malnad region, had allegedly taken to manufacturing illegal guns. Preliminary investigation confirmed illegal possession, and further probe is under way.Police warned that manufacturing or possessing illegal firearms is a punishable offence and said stringent action would be taken against violators. They also urged the public to share information about illegal weapons in their localities.Meanwhile, the Shivamogga additional district and sessions court sentenced four persons to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment each and imposed a total fine of Rs 1.85 lakh in a child marriage and sexual assault case involving a minor girl.According to a complaint filed at Kumsi police station, a 27-year-old man from Shivamogga taluk befriended a 17-year-old girl in 2024, later entered into a child marriage with her, and sexually assaulted her. A case was registered under the Pocso Act and relevant provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.The investigation was led by then Kumsi police inspector Harish K Patil (now at Kote police station), who filed the chargesheet. During trial, public prosecutor Sridhar argued for the prosecution. Based on the evidence, Judge Ninganagouda B Patil convicted all four accused and awarded 20-year sentences, officials said.The court also directed payment of Rs 4 lakh compensation to the survivor.Police outreach in AgumbeIn a separate initiative, Agumbe police helped construct a house for an elderly woman living in a plastic-sheet covered shelter without basic facilities. During a house-to-house outreach programme, sub-inspector Shivanagouda Patil learned of her condition and coordinated with the Shivamogga district police and the Agumbe Lions Club to build a permanent home.The effort was expedited, particularly in view of safety concerns after a lone tusker was recently sighted moving close to her temporary shelter. The new house, named ‘Lions Kutira’, was handed over by superintendent of police B Nikhil.
