THODUPUZHA: A 64-year-old man has been sentenced to 73 years in jail and fined Rs 160,000 for sexually abusing his seven-year-old grandson. He has been charged under various sections, including POCSO, but need to serve 20 years in prison as sentences run concurrently. Idukki High Court Judge TG Varghese passed the sentence.

The offence was committed in 2019 in the limits of Murikkasseri police station. The grandmother of the child who came back after working in the field saw the crime. The case was registered on their statement.

To save the father, the father of the abused child turned hostile during the trial. The District Legal Services Authority has been directed to pay the full amount of the fine levied from the convict for the rehabilitation of the child and Rs 50,000 from the victim compensation scheme. Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Saneesh SS appeared for the prosecution.