Published Nov 03, 2026 | 4:01 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 03, 2026 | 4:01 PM
Saddam Hussain, alias Kichamani, a repeat offender. (Special Arrangement)
A 35-year-old man who abducted and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl after posing as a friend of her father has been sentenced to 13 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹40,000 by the Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) in Thiruvananthapuram.
Special Judge Anju Meera Birla sentenced Saddam Hussain, alias Kichamani, a native of Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district, in connection with the incident that took place on January 24, 2025.
The court ordered that the fine, along with compensation to be awarded by the Legal Services Authority, be paid to the survivor. If Hussain fails to pay the fine, he will have to undergo an additional three years and nine months of imprisonment.
The incident occurred when the girl was walking to school with her younger brother at around 7.45 am. The accused approached them on a motorcycle and claimed to be a friend of their father.
Offering to drop them at school, he persuaded the girl to get on the vehicle. After dropping her younger brother midway, he took the girl to a shop on the pretext of buying her chocolates. He subsequently stopped at a secluded alley and sexually assaulted her, and also threatened to kill her if she revealed the incident to anyone.
The accused later returned to pick up the girl’s younger brother and dropped him at school. The girl initially kept the incident to herself, fearing both her family’s reaction and the accused’s threats. The incident came to light when a friend noticed a change in her behaviour, spoke to her, and subsequently informed the school authorities.
During the sentencing proceedings, the accused sought leniency, stating that he had two young children and an unemployed wife and was the sole breadwinner of the family.
The prosecution, however, pointed out that he had earlier been convicted by the Fast Track Special Court in Karunagappally in another POCSO case involving the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. The earlier judgment of conviction was produced before the court. Following this, an additional charge under Section 10 read with Section 9(t) of the POCSO Act was framed against him.
Considering the minimum punishment prescribed under the law, the court held that there was no need to examine the case under the Probation of Offenders Act. Applying Section 7 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the court also ordered no separate punishment under Section 8 read with Section 7 of the POCSO Act, treating it as the graver offence.
The prosecution examined 31 witnesses and produced 41 documents and eight material objects. Special Public Prosecutor RS Vijay Mohan appeared along with advocates Bindu VC and Surabhi P.
The investigation was conducted by Thumba Police Inspector Binu R and Sub-Inspector Biju R. Another similar case against the convict is currently being tried before the same court.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
