THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Fast Track (POCSO) Court in Thiruvananthapuram sentenced a tuition teacher to 111 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a class 11 girl student. Judge R. Rekha pronounced the verdict. Manoj (44), a native of Manacaud was found guilty in the case.

Along with the imprisonment, the convict should also pay a fine. In case of failure to pay the fine, the convict shall serve an additional year of imprisonment. Manoj, a former PWD official had a side gig, conducting tuition classes by building a shed on the terrace of his house.

The judge ruled that the crime committed by the teacher, who should have been the guardian of the child, did not deserve any mercy.

The incident related to the case took place on July 2, 2019, at 10 am. Manoj summoned the student to tuition under the pretext of a special class. The accused captured and photographed the private images ignoring the pleadings from the minor girl.

Even before this incident, Manoj planned to assault the student several times but was thwarted after the student strongly resisted. After the torture episode, the student stopped attending the tuition class. When the accused's wife came to know about the abuse, she called the child and scolded her.

Incensed over his wife’s conduct, Manoj physically assaulted and locked her inside a room. Devastated, his wife committed suicide. There is also a case pending against Manoj for abetting suicide.

After the incident, private images of Manoj and the student leaked on the internet. The family then came to know about the incident and complained to the Fort Police. When the accused was arrested and the phone was scientifically examined, all explicit footages were recovered.

The defense argued that the accused was in the office on the day of the incident and produced the document signed in the office register that day. But the whole lie was busted when the prosecution submitted the phone tower location of the accused on that day.

Special Public Prosecutor RS Vijay Mohan and RY Akhilesh appeared for the prosecution. Fort Inspectors AK Sherry, KR Biju and J. Rakesh conducted the investigation.