A district mahila court in Tirupur has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing a 70-year-old man to three years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually harassing a three-year-old girl. The judgment, pronounced on Saturday, underscores the judiciary's firm stance on crimes against children.
The Incident and Swift Police Action
The harrowing incident took place on August 29, 2024, in Erisanampalayam near Moolanur, Dharapuram. The convict, identified as V Pazhani, sexually harassed the minor while she was playing innocently in front of her own house. In a crucial turn of events, the child's mother witnessed the act and immediately intervened.
She filed a formal complaint with the Dharapuram all-woman police station without delay. Acting promptly on the complaint, the police registered a case against Pazhani under the stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The elderly man was arrested on the very same day, demonstrating the police's zero-tolerance approach to such heinous acts.
Judicial Process and Final Verdict
Following his arrest, Pazhani was produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody. The police subsequently filed a detailed chargesheet before the Tirupur district mahila court, paving the way for the legal proceedings.
After examining the evidence and hearing the arguments, the presiding judge found V Pazhani guilty of the charges levied against him. On Saturday, the court announced its sentence: three years of imprisonment. In addition to the jail term, the judge imposed a monetary fine of Rs 5,000 on the convict.
The court order included a strict clause ensuring the penalty's weight. A court source confirmed that if Pazhani fails to pay the imposed fine, he will have to undergo an additional three months of simple imprisonment. This adds a further layer of accountability to the punishment.
A Strong Message for Child Protection
This case highlights the critical role of vigilant community members and responsive law enforcement. The mother's immediate complaint and the police's same-day arrest were pivotal in securing justice. The verdict from the mahila court sends a powerful message that age is no bar for prosecution under the POCSO Act and that crimes against children will be met with the full force of the law.
The judgment is seen as a significant step in upholding child safety in the region, reinforcing the legal framework designed to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
