Kerala Court Delivers Landmark 180-Year Sentence in Child Sexual Abuse Case

New Delhi Chronicle Crime Bureau

November 5, 2025

In a gravity-defying judgment that reflects both the horror of the crime and the resolve of the justice system, a special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) court in Manjeri, Malappuram district of Kerala, has sentenced a mother and her male companion — identified as the minor victim’s step-father figure — to 180 years of rigorous imprisonment each. The court has also imposed a fine of ₹11.75 lakh on both of them, failing which an additional 20 years in jail has been ordered.

The Facts of the Case

According to the prosecution, the abuse of the victim — a 12-year-old girl — occurred repeatedly between 2019 and 2021 at rented residences in the Anamangad and Vallikapatta areas of Malappuram district.

The step-father figure, originally from Palakkad, repeatedly sexually assaulted the child and intimidated her by claiming that a hidden camera was implanted in her head to prevent her from revealing the abuse. The mother, from Thiruvananthapuram, had left her husband in 2019 and began living with the male accused. She was charged with abetting and encouraging the abuse.

The case was registered at the Vanitha Police Station in Malappuram and investigated under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the POCSO Act, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

The Verdict and Its Significance

Presided over by Special POCSO Court Judge Ashraf A.M., the judgment not only imposes one of the longest-ever sentences in such cases in Kerala but also reflects the court’s determination to address the brutality of the crime.

Key features of the sentence:
• 180 years of rigorous imprisonment each for both accused.
• Fine of ₹11.75 lakh each, with an additional 20 years of imprisonment in the event of non-payment.
• Fine amount directed to be paid to the survivor; the court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to initiate compensation under the Victim Compensation Scheme.
• The convicts have been ordered to be transferred to Tavanur Jail to serve their sentences.

Why This Verdict Matters

This case sends a strong signal that the judiciary is prepared to impose maximum punishments in cases of child sexual abuse, particularly when the offender is in a position of trust relative to the child. The intimidation tactics described — threats, coercion, and the misuse of authority — underline the exploitative nature of the crime. The court recognised the “heinous nature” of the offence and responded accordingly.

This verdict could serve as a benchmark for future cases under the POCSO Act, reinforcing that child-protection laws are not merely symbolic but have real consequences. It may also boost public confidence in institutional mechanisms when used diligently to hold perpetrators accountable.

Challenges Still Remain

While this verdict is a landmark, it also brings to light systemic challenges:
• Child abuse and sexual exploitation remain grossly under-reported in many districts.
• Delays in investigation and trial often dilute the victim’s ability to testify or cope with trauma.
• Even with long sentences, rehabilitation and psychological recovery of the survivor remain as critical as punitive justice.
• Ensuring compensation and actual payment of fines is another vital task — a sentence alone does not erase the trauma.

The Road Ahead

For the survivor, the journey does not end with this verdict. Authorities must ensure proper counselling, protection, education, and reintegration into a safe environment. The district and state legal services must follow through with speed and sensitivity.

For law-enforcement and child-welfare agencies across India, this case should prompt a renewed focus on:
• Early detection mechanisms through schools, Anganwadis, and health workers.
• Ensuring that children are not intimidated into silence.
• Strengthening support systems for reporting and investigation.
• Monitoring long-term rehabilitation of survivors.

Conclusion

Justice has been served in a manner rarely seen. The 180-year sentences handed out by the Manjeri POCSO court mark a high-water mark in the fight against child sexual abuse in Kerala. But sentences alone cannot heal a child. Sustained support, protection, and systemic vigilance must follow. For real change, the message must trickle down: predators will no longer enjoy impunity, and survivors will not be left to face the aftermath alone.