Former Teacher Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexual Assault of Minor in Vizag
In a significant verdict, the special court for trial of offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Visakhapatnam city has convicted and sentenced a former teacher, Koyyanna Tirupati Rao, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. The court delivered this judgment on Thursday for the sexual assault of a minor girl that occurred in 2015.
Details of the Case and Investigation
According to the Anakapalle police, Tirupati Rao was employed as a physics teacher at a private school in Chodavaram. He lured a Class-VIII student, kidnapped her, and took her to Rajasthan, where he sexually assaulted her. The victim later became the mother of two children as a result of this assault.
After a year-long investigation, the police successfully apprehended the accused and rescued the victim in Rajasthan. The case was initiated based on a complaint filed by the victim's parents, leading to the registration of a case against Tirupati Rao under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the POCSO Act of 2012.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The police completed the investigation procedure and filed a charge sheet, which paved the way for regular court hearings. Following these proceedings, the court pronounced the sentence of 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for Tirupati Rao.
In addition to the imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of Rs 71,000 on the convict. It also directed the government to pay Rs 70,000 from this fine amount to the victim's family as compensation, aiming to provide some financial support for the trauma endured.
This case highlights the stringent enforcement of the POCSO Act in India, designed to protect children from sexual abuse and ensure swift justice for such heinous crimes. The verdict serves as a stern warning against offenders and underscores the importance of legal mechanisms in safeguarding minors.
