Teacher sentenced for 161 years of RI for molesting boy with autism

Thiruvananthapuram: A fast-track special court sentenced a 56-year-old teacher to 161 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and a fine of Rs 87,000 for repeatedly molesting a 10-year-old boy with autism in 2019.Judge Anju Meera Birla found the accused, a resident of Paudikonam and a teacher at the survivor's school, guilty under multiple sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. While the cumulative sentence totals 161 years, the judge clarified that the convict would serve a maximum of 20 years in prison, the longest individual term among the concurrent sentences. Failure to pay the fine will add a further eight-and-a half years to his term. The court also directed Legal Services Authority to provide compensation to the survivor. The abuse occurred in July 2019 at a school in the state capital, where the boy, a native of Kannur, was studying in the third grade while staying in the city for therapy. According to the prosecution, the teacher exploited the child's condition and assaulted him multiple times inside a school bathroom. The boy's mother grew suspicious when he suddenly began exhibiting distress, despite having shown significant improvement during his therapy. She also noticed injuries on his body. Unable to articulate the trauma verbally due to his condition, the child disclosed the assaults through drawings and writings in his personal book. The matter was eventually narrated to his speech therapist and was then reported to the police. Following this, on the instructions of Child Welfare Committee (CWC), police formed a special three-member panel, including a doctor from Thiruvananthapuram Mental Health Centre, to formally record the child's statement. Special public prosecutor R S Vijay Mohan represented the prosecution. The investigation was led by narcotics cell assistant commissioner Sheen Tharayil, Srikaryam inspector Abhilash David and sub-inspector R Biju.