Kerala man gets triple-life imprisonment sentence for raping 9-year-old daughter

KOCHI: A 31-year-old man from Idukki, Kerala, has been sentenced to triple-life imprisonment by the Devikulam Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) for raping his nine-year-old daughter between 2021 and 2022. Judge Sirajuddin P A also imposed a fine of Rs 5,70,000 on the convict, who will remain imprisoned for the remainder of his natural life, as stated by special public prosecutor Smiju K Das.
In addition to the life sentences, the court handed down a 36-year rigorous imprisonment term under various sections of the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code. The case originated from the plantation area of Munnar, where the victim lived with her parents. According to the prosecution, the girl was staying with her father after her mother abandoned them, and the accused repeatedly subjected her to rape between March 1, 2021, and August 21, 2022.
The accused threatened the child with dire consequences if she disclosed the abuse to anyone. However, the girl informed her mother about the rape and suffered burn injuries when the accused placed a heated spoon on her left arm muscle as punishment for revealing the incidents. The child later shared her ordeal with a fellow student and a school counselor, who notified the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The CWC then alerted the police, leading to the filing of the case.
During the trial, the prosecution examined 22 witnesses and presented 42 documents as evidence to support their case against the accused.