T’puram: A fast-track special court here sentenced a 37-year-old man to 50 years of rigorous imprisonment for repeatedly raping a 16-year-old girl in 2018 and 2019, with conviction secured through conclusive DNA evidence.Judge Anju Meera Birla found Shynu, a native of Thiruvallam, guilty of sexually assaulting the minor on multiple occasions. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 30,000, with an additional three-year imprisonment in default of payment. The prosecution case was significantly strengthened by forensic findings. DNA analysis confirmed that sperm recovered from the victim matched the accused.According to prosecution, first assault occurred on Dec 31, 2018, when the accused accompanied the girl and her friends to Kovalam for New Year celebrations. On their return, he took them to a relative’s house and assaulted her. The girl did not disclose the incident immediately due to fear and embarrassment.The second assault took place on Jan 12, 2019, when he allegedly threatened the victim and raped her at her home. TNN
