72-yr-old gets 3-yr jail for sexually assaulting minor boys

Idukki: A 72-year-old trader was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 20,000 for sexually assaulting schoolboys.The convict, Chacko Mathai, of Kanjirathanam in Thangamani, Idukki, was found guilty by Idukki fast track Pocso court, presided over by Judge Nobel D S.According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in 2025. The accused, who ran a shop near the old police station premises close to Thangamani school, allegedly sexually abused minor boys who had come to his shop to purchase goods.The matter came to light after the children informed school authorities about the abuse. Based on the information received, Thangamani police registered a case and launched an investigation.In the case registered and chargesheeted in 2025, special public prosecutor Shijomone Joseph Kandathinkarayil appeared for the prosecution.