The Hindu (Thiruvananthapuram)
Man sentenced to triple life term for sexually abusing minor daughter
The Thiruvananthapuram Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) Special Judge Rekha R. on Tuesday sentenced a 41-year-old man to triple life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his six-year-old daughter at their residence under the Valiyathura police station limits in July 2023.
The court also awarded him another 21 years of rigorous imprisonment, besides imposing a ne of ₹90,000 on him.
He was found guilty of oences punishable under Section 6 read with 5(m) (penetrative sexual assault on a child aged below 12 years), Section 6 with 5(n) (penetrative sexual assault on a child by a blood relative), Section 6 read with 5(l) (penetrative sexual assault on a child more than once), Section 10 read with 9(m) (aggravated sexual assault on a child aged below 12 years), Section 10 read with 9(n) (aggravated sexual assault on a child by a blood relative), and Section 10 read with 9(l) (aggravated sexual assault on a child more than once) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Oences (POCSO) Act. The life and term sentences will run concurrently.
According to Special Public
Prosecutor Vijay Mohan R.S., the convict will have to undergo an additional one year of rigorous imprisonment if he fails to pay the ne.
Compensation
The court recommended the District Legal Services Authority to provide adequate compensation to the survivor. The survivor has been residing with her father, elder sister, and maternal grandmother, while her mother has been working abroad. On the day of the crime, her father took her to his room under the pretext of showing her mobile and sexually assaulted her.
The incident came to light after the child complained of severe pain and was taken to a hospital by her grandmother. A complaint was lodged with the Valiyathura police on the basis of the medical examination. The elder daughter testied that their father used to misbehave with them under the inuence of alcohol.
Emphasising the need for imposing maximum punishments to prevent similar oences, the judge said the act of the accused brings disgrace to fatherhood. The trial commenced on March 29. The prosecution presented 17 witnesses and 19 exhibits.