Shimla, July 15 -- A local court in Kullu on Tuesday sentenced three persons, including the 16-year-old victim's mother, to 10-year- jail for forcing a minor into prostitution.

Accused, Shiv Shankar, alias Sikander, originally from Uttar Pradesh and later residing in Zirakpur; Nitin Jain, alias Mannu, of Karnal, and the victim's mother were convicted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs.1.08 lakh on Shiv, Rs.93,000 on Nitin and Rs.95,000 on the victim's mother.

The case came to light in 2018. On April 29, 2018, a team from the Manali Child Helpline brought the minor victim to the Manal...