A special court in Tirunelveli dedicated to cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing a 49-year-old man to death for the horrific sexual assault and impregnation of his own minor daughter. The court emphasized the extreme depravity of the crime and the need for the strongest possible punishment.
The Horrific Crime and Discovery
The convicted man, a labourer and habitual alcoholic, began sexually assaulting his 14-year-old daughter in August 2024. He repeatedly raped the child and threatened her with dire consequences to prevent her from revealing the abuse to her mother. The ordeal continued for months until the girl fell ill. When her mother took her to a nearby primary health centre, medical examination revealed the shocking truth: the minor was pregnant.
Upon learning that her husband was the perpetrator, the distraught mother mustered immense courage and lodged a formal complaint at the all-woman police station in February 2025. The police acted swiftly, registering a case under the stringent POCSO Act and arresting the accused. Following a thorough investigation, a final report was submitted before the special court for trial.
Court's Stern Observations and Verdict
Presiding over the case, Special Court Judge K Suresh Kumar delivered a powerful judgment. He noted that the accused had deliberately misused his position of trust and authority as a father, causing profound and long-term harm to the victim. The judge stated that acts committed by guardians within families demand a strong societal response to uphold public confidence and protect other children.
The judgment highlighted the repeated nature of the assaults, the threats used to silence the survivor, and the high degree of moral depravity involved. The court also examined a probation officer's report, which described the accused as a habitual drunkard prone to aggressive behaviour. Judge Kumar ruled that this could not be considered a mitigating factor; instead, it reflected a pattern of irresponsible conduct that posed a continuous risk to society.
"Sentencing must reflect both the harm caused and the societal expectation that children's safety is paramount," the judge observed. Consequently, the court convicted the man under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and imposed the death sentence. It also levied a fine of Rs 25,000 on the convict.
Compensation and Legal Proceedings
In a significant directive aimed at supporting the survivor's future, the judge ordered the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the minor girl. This financial aid is intended to help her rebuild her life and access necessary care and support.
The prosecution in this harrowing case was led by Special Public Prosecutor P Usha, who successfully argued for the maximum punishment. The verdict from the Tirunelveli court sends a clear and uncompromising message about the zero-tolerance approach towards sexual crimes against children, especially those perpetrated by individuals in positions of trust within the family unit.
