Trichy: A 24-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by a court in Trichy on Monday under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old boy.
Court Pronounces Sentence
Trichy's mahila court pronounced the sentence against the accused, M Venkatesh, a resident of Puthur. Judge D Shanmuga Priya presided over the case and delivered the verdict.
Details of the Incident
On January 25, 2023, the victim, a nine-year-old boy, had gone to a shop to purchase some items. Venkatesh spotted the boy, lured him to an isolated location, and sexually assaulted him. The accused fled from the spot after the boy raised an alarm.
Upon learning about the incident, the victim's parents lodged a police complaint. A case was registered at the Srirangam all-women police station under Section 5(m) read with Section 6(1) of the POCSO Act, 2012.
Arrest and Trial
Venkatesh was arrested soon after the complaint was filed and was remanded in Trichy Central Prison. He was later released on bail. The case was tried in the Trichy mahila court, and the chargesheet was filed on April 1, 2023.
At the conclusion of the trial, Judge D Shanmuga Priya sentenced Venkatesh to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000. Following the sentencing, Venkatesh was lodged at Trichy Central Prison.
Police Appreciation
Trichy city police commissioner N Kamini praised the investigating officers for their efforts in securing the conviction of the accused. She highlighted the importance of swift justice in cases involving crimes against children.
This case underscores the commitment of the judiciary and law enforcement to protect children from sexual offenses and ensure that perpetrators face stringent punishment under the law.
