Man gets 13 years’ RI for sexually assaulting a minor

Thiruvananthapuram: A 35-year-old man was sentenced to 13 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 40,000 by a fast-track special court for abducting and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl after posing as her father’s friend.The accused, Saddam Hussain alias Kichamani, of Pandalam in Pathanamthitta, was sentenced by special court judge Anju Meera Birla. The court also directed that the fine amount, along with compensation from the legal services authority, be paid to the survivor. If he fails to pay the fine, he will have to undergo an additional three years and nine months of imprisonment.The incident took place on Jan 24, 2025, when the girl was walking to school with her younger brother around 7.45am. The accused approached them on a motorcycle, offering to drop them at school, and persuaded the children to get on his motorcycle.The prosecution also informed the court that another case against the accused, involving the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl after showing her obscene photographs, was being tried before the same court. He had earlier been convicted by a Karunagappally court in that case.Special public prosecutor R S Vijay Mohan, along with advocates Bindu V C and Surabhi P, appeared for the prosecution. Thirty-one witnesses were examined, while 41 documents and eight material objects were produced as evidence.Stay updated with the latest Thiruvananthapuram news. Download the TOI App.