A special POCSO court in Manjeri has sentenced a man to a cumulative 170 years of rigorous imprisonment, with an effective 40-year jail term, for repeatedly abusing his 11-year-old daughter. The court also imposed a ₹10.7 lakh fine.
Abuse came to light through school intervention
The incidents took place at the family’s home in Areekode between January 2022 and January 2023. According to the prosecution, concerns about the child’s well-being emerged after school staff noticed signs of distress and alerted the authorities.
A subsequent counselling session helped the child disclose the situation to her teacher, who informed the Areekode police. The child’s statement was then recorded in the presence of her mother, leading to the father’s arrest.
Court cites breach of parental responsibility
Judge A M Ashraf noted that the father had failed in his duty to protect the child, and said the severity of the offences warranted a stringent sentence.
The man was convicted under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code. Additional penalties were imposed for related offences, including intimidation and unlawful restraint.
Accused was a repeat offender
The court also recorded that the man was out on bail in another case involving offences against a woman in 2021 and 2022. He is already serving a 20-year sentence in that matter.