Death Sentence for Preacher Convicted of Assaulting Minor Girls in Tamil Nadu
Court Delivers Harsh Sentence for Sexual Assault Case
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Tirunelveli, Aug 20: A special court in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, has sentenced a 50-year-old preacher to death for the sexual assault of four minor girls who attended his prayer hall during their school vacation in 2022.
The individual convicted is S. Abraham, who ran the prayer hall located in Mela Ilanthaikulam, near Thevarkulam in Tirunelveli district.
According to the prosecution, Abraham took advantage of the trust placed in him by the children and their families, luring the girls under the guise of conducting moral science classes.
The assaults took place during the 2022 vacation, as the girls believed they were participating in sessions focused on religious and moral teachings.
It was revealed that Abraham used these classes as a means to gain access to the children, ultimately leading to the sexual assaults. The situation came to light when the girls confided in their parents about the abuse.
Following their revelations, the families reported the incidents to the Thevarkulam police, who registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and arrested Abraham on July 5, 2022.
Investigators completed their inquiry and presented the evidence to the special court designated for POCSO cases.
During the trial, the prosecution detailed the assaults on all four victims, while the court reviewed the evidence and testimonies provided.
Judge Suresh Kumar of the POCSO Special Court found Abraham guilty and issued the death sentence on Thursday, concluding the four-year-long prosecution at the trial level.
Details regarding any fines or compensation for the victims have not been disclosed. A death sentence from a sessions court requires confirmation from the jurisdictional High Court before it can be executed.
The convict has the right to appeal both the conviction and the sentence. The identities of the four victims remain confidential, in line with legal protections for minors involved in sexual offence cases.
The POCSO Act, enacted in 2012, establishes a specialized legal framework for prosecuting sexual crimes against individuals under 18, ensuring child-sensitive investigation and trial processes.