A fast-track court in Idukki (Kerala) sentenced a 64-year-old man to 73 years in jail and a fine of Rs 1,60,000 for sexually abusing his seven-year-old grandson three years ago.
He will have to undergo a minimum sentence of twenty years in prison as the term of the sentence will run concurrently. Fast track court judge PG Varghese while pronouncing the verdict said that the convict does not deserve any sympathy and preventive punishment for investigation of such offences.
According to the prosecution, the incident took place in 2019. The incident came to light when Dadi (accused’s wife) saw the crime and informed the police. Later the medical report confirmed sexual assault and he was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
During the trial, the child’s father and some other relatives turned hostile to defend the accused but the court relied on earlier statements and medical reports to nab him. Apart from the fine, the court also directed the legal services authority to properly compensate the child.
“He was sentenced to 20 years each under three sections of POCSO and 10 years for repeated offenses and three years under section 377 (unnatural sex),” said Public Prosecutor Sanesh SS in the case. He said that this is the first time that such a heavy punishment has been given to the guilty in the state.