Court sentences Hassan Kutty to 67 years for kidnap and rape of two-year-old girl in Chackai  

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The quantum of sentence has been pronounced against Hassan Kutty (45), the accused in the case of kidnapping and raping a two-year-old girl in Chackai. He has been sentenced to 67 years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 12 lakh. The verdict was pronounced by Thiruvananthapuram Additional District Sessions Court.

POCSO court judge M P Shibu had found Hassan Kutty also known as Abu and Kabir of Edava in Varkala, guilty. In addition to POCSO, a case was registered against him for

murder attempt. The prosecution argued that he should be awarded maximum punishment. The accused told the court then that he was innocent.

The incident related to the case happened on February 18, 2024. The child, who was sleeping in a tent with her nomadic parents of Hyderabad, near Brahmos in Chackai was kidnapped, raped and then abandoned her in the area behind Brahmos aerospace. The police identified the accused from the CCTV cameras in Brahmos.

The child's hair found on his clothes turned crucial in the scientific examination. Days before the incident, the accused was released on bail in a POCSO case registered by the Ayur police in Kollam. He was then working in a hotel in Aluva. From there, he came to Thiruvananthapuram, abducted and abused the nomadic girl.

After the incident, the accused returned to Aluva, took leave from there, went to Palani, tonsured his head and was arrested by the Pettah police in Kollam while returning. Kattaikonam J K Ajith Prasad appeared for the prosecution.