POOCHAKKAL: A priest who molested a 10-year-old boy who had come to learn pooja rituals was sentenced to 111 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 6 lakh. Cherthala fast-track Special Pocso Court judge KM Vani sentenced Rajesh, a temple priest. Failure to pay the fine will result in additional imprisonment.

The incident took place in December 2020. Rajesh, who was a priest of a temple in the Thaikkattussery Manappuram area, subjected a ten-year-old boy to unnatural sex who lived with him to study rituals. Poochakkal Police Inspectors Ajay Mohan and Aji G Nath investigated the case and submitted the charge sheet.