Lakshadweep POCSO court sentences man to 40 years in prison for minor's abuse

KOCHI: A POCSO court in Lakshadweep has sentenced a Kavaratti island resident to 40 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing a minor boy.

The court sentenced T.P. Ilyas to rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1.20 lakh. Additionally, the court recommended that the Kavaratti District Legal Services Authority disburse ₹2 lakh for the child's education and rehabilitation.

The crimes came to light after the victim's parents noticed behavioural changes and a lack of concentration in his studies, prompting them to have the child undergo counselling.

According to the details of the case, the first incident took place in September 2022, when Ilyas took his relative's child to an under-construction building near the house and sexually abused him. A second incident occurred in December 2022, when he lured the boy to his own residence under the pretext of buying him things and abused him again.
Following the disclosures made during counselling, the parents filed a formal complaint at the Kavaratti Police Station, leading police to arrest Ilyas.