Mysuru, Oct. 17 -- * POCSO Fast-Track Special Court delivers judgement one year after crime

* CCTV footage, DNA evidence play a key role in identifying rapist-killer

The Fast-Track Special Court constituted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Mysuru has sentenced Karthik, 32, to death for the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl during last year's Dasara festivities.

Judge Anand P. Hoogade pronounced the sentence in open Court this noon, with Karthik present. After the verdict was read out to him in Kannada, he remained expressionless.

Yesterday, when he was produced before the Court, Karthik had pleaded for mercy, telling the Judge that his brother was mentally challenged and that his father had le...