Kollam: A fast-track special court in Kollam on Friday sentenced a 26-year-old man to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 70,000 for sexually assaulting a minor girl after befriending her through social media.The convict, Shyam Kumar, of Velamanoorcheri in Parippally, was found guilty under various provisions of IPC and Pocso Act. The sentence was pronounced by Judge Ashraf A M.According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in 2021. The accused allegedly established contact with the survivor through social media and later lured her to his place, where he sexually assaulted her.During the trial, the accused absconded for a period before being traced and produced before the court.In default of payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an additional imprisonment of 18 months.The court also ordered that the entire fine amount, if realised, be paid to the survivor. In addition, District Legal Services Authority was directed to ensure adequate compensation to the survivor under the victim compensation scheme.Special public prosecutor Saritha R appeared for the prosecution. The chargesheet in the case was filed by then Parippally station house officer Al Jabar A. ASIs Prasanna Gopan, Selina and Manju assisted the prosecution during the trial.
