Kerala man sentenced to cumulative 51 years imprisonment for rape of minor stepdaughter

A Kerala court on Wednesday, 28 February, convicted and sentenced a 40-year-old man to a cumulative 51 years imprisonment for the rape of his then 17-year-old stepdaughter in 2018 at their residence in Munnar in the Idukki district.

Devikulam Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) judge Sirajudheen PA sentenced the accused to varying jail terms for offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the IPC for a total of 51 years, special public prosecutor (SPP) Smiju K Das said.

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To serve 20 years

• The man convicted of raping his stepdaughter will serve 20 years in prison, as the sentences are to be served concurrently, with this being the highest jail term announced by the judge, as stated by the SPP (Special Public Prosecutor).
• Additionally, the court imposed a fine of ₹1.55 lakh on the convict, which will be given to the victim, according to the prosecutor.
• The court also recommended compensation for the victim under the Victim Compensation Scheme, with directions given to the District Legal Services Authority, Idukki-Thodupuzha, as mentioned by the SPP.
• The girl was raped on three separate days in November 2018 when her mother was not at home, as detailed by the prosecutor.
• Furthermore, the stepfather, who was 34 years old at the time of the incident, had intimidated the victim by threatening to kill her and her mother if she disclosed the crime to anybody, according to the SPP.

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