Overruling an acquittal by a lower court, a district court in Mangaluru has sentenced a habitual offender to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹60,000 after finding him guilty of a 2009 theft at a place of worship in Balepuni village in Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada district.Mohan J.S., Additional District and Sessions Judge, Fast Track Sessions Court-1, on August 17 sentenced Abdul Bashir, a resident of Ullal, to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹20,000 for an offence under Section 457 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In default of payment, he will undergo simple imprisonment for an additional year. Bashir was also sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹10,000 under Section 380 of the IPC.Noting that Bashir committed the crime after serving a prison term for theft within the Ullal police station limits, the judge sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹30,000 under Section 75 of the IPC. The sentences will run concurrently. The second accused, Ibrahim, died during the trial.Out of the fine amount, the judge ordered that ₹50,000 be paid to two main witnesses as compensation for the loss of valuables. The remaining ₹10,000 will be remitted to the State exchequer.On the night of February 27, 2009, valuables were stolen from the Shri Kshetra Todakkukkinar Temple in Balepuni village after the iron lever on the main door was broken open. The Konaje police arrested Bashir for the theft and later apprehended Ibrahim, to whom Bashir had sold the stolen items.The Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Bantwal, had acquitted Bashir on January 1, 2019, following which the State filed an appeal in the district court. Published - August 28, 2026 08:29 pm IST