Thiruvananthapuram: Kattakada fast track Pocso court sentenced a 25-year-old man to 35 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined him Rs 70,000 for sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl.Judge V Vinod awarded the sentence under various provisions of the Pocso Act. The court directed that the fine be paid to the survivor. If the accused fails to pay the amount, he will have to undergo an additional seven months’ rigorous imprisonment.According to the prosecution, the survivor was living with her father, grandmother and younger brother and was studying in Class II when the incident occurred. The accused, who was known to the girl, allegedly assaulted her while no one else was at home.The prosecution said the accused also showed obscene videos to the child and threatened her. The matter came to light after the child told her friends about the abuse. The friends subsequently informed the school authorities, following which the police were alerted.Advocate D R Pramod appeared for the prosecution. Jinesh J, who was then Pangode police inspector, completed the investigation and submitted the chargesheet.
