Court sentences man to 47 years’ RI for sexually assaulting minor relative

The Thiruvananthapuram Fast Track Special Court on Tuesday sentenced a 43-year-old man to 47 years of rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of ₹32,000 for sexually assaulting his 15-year-old relative. Special Judge Anju Meera Birla pronounced the verdict against the accused and ordered that the he must undergo an additional three years and three months of imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.According to the prosecution led by Special Public Prosecutor R.S. Vijay Mohan, the incident occurred on May 24, 2025, when the accused, who was also the survivor’s neighbour, lured the boy to his house on the pretext of bringing rice to feed chickens and sexually assaulted him.When another person arrived at the house during the incident, the accused locked the boy in a room before stepping outside. Shortly after, the survivor’s grandfather came looking for the boy, but the accused turned him away by claiming the child had already left.The survivor initially did not divulge his ordeal to his family. However, when his family scolded him for refusing a request to deliver items to the accused’s home, the boy finally confided in his sister. Though some family members argued against reporting the matter to the police because the perpetrator was a relative, the survivor’s mother stood firm and lodged a complaint with the Valiyathura Police. The prosecution examined 16 witnesses, submitted 16 documents and presented three material objects as evidence. Published - October 06, 2026 08:36 pm IST