A special fast-track court set up under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at Perumbavoor on Monday sentenced five accused to imprisonment, including three to life imprisonment, in a case of sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl.
Judge Dinesh M. Pillai passed the verdict. The accused were identified as Farhad Khan, Haroon Khan, Ashu, Faheem, and Shahid—all migrants from Uttar Pradesh—in the case registered by the Eloor police during the pandemic in 2020.
According to the prosecution, the accused lured the victim, who spoke Hindi fluently, by promising her a SIM card and took her to various places, where they sexually abused her both individually and as a group. Multiple cases were registered in connection with the incident.
Haroon Khan was sentenced to 40 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹50,000 in one case. Farhad Khan was acquitted in one case but sentenced to life imprisonment until death and 60 years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of ₹1.5 lakh in two other cases.
Shahid Khan was sentenced to life imprisonment until death, 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, and a fine of ₹75,000 in one case. Ashu was sentenced to 40 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹50,000 in one case. Faheem received double life imprisonment until death, 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, and a fine of ₹1.5 lakh in two cases.
Special Prosecutor Sindhu appeared for the prosecution. A team led by then Ernakulam Central Assistant Commissioner of Police K. Lalji had probed the case, arrested four accused, and filed the chargesheet. Later, following the reorganisation of police sub-divisions, Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner of Police Baby P. V. took over the further investigation and arrested two more accused.
Since then, eight charge sheets have been filed against six accused. Five accused were sentenced after the completion of trials on five chargesheets.
Published – March 04, 2025 12:26 am IST
