A Fast Track Special Court in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday sentenced a cricket coach to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 79,000 for sexually assaulting a minor student under the pretext of providing coaching in 2018.
Court Verdict and Sentences
Judge Anju Meera Birla of the Fast Track Special Court convicted Manu M (40), a native of Sreevaraham, under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Information Technology Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for sexually assaulting the student.
Although the court awarded a cumulative sentence of 48 years' rigorous imprisonment under different provisions, it directed that all substantive sentences would run concurrently. Therefore, the effective sentence in this case is 20 years' rigorous imprisonment.
Consecutive Sentences and Set-off
The court also directed that the sentence in the present case would commence only after the completion of sentences in two other cases in which Manu has already been convicted. Those sentences are scheduled to end on July 4, 2039. The court granted the convict a set-off of 722 days, covering the period from July 6, 2024, to June 27, 2026.
Additionally, the court found Manu guilty in another case under the IPC and the POCSO Act on Saturday. The sentence in that case will be pronounced on June 29.
Background of the Case
A total of six cases were registered against Manu at the Cantonment police station after the alleged sexual abuse came to light in 2024, following complaints lodged by students he coached. The abuse occurred under the guise of cricket coaching, and the victim was a minor at the time.
