A 22-year-old man from Kollam was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for sexual assault. He has also been ordered to pay ₹26,000 as fine. Failure to remit the sum would entail a further nine months of imprisonment. The accused, Hail Raju, 22, from Karipra village, was sentenced by Special Judge Anju Meera Birla, Fast Track Special Court (POCSO), Thiruvananthapuram, on charges of assaulting a minor girl. Special Public prosecutor R.S. Vijay Mohan, advocates Bindu V.C. and Surabhi P. appeared for the prosecution.
The incident took place in May 2025 near Chavadimukku in Thiruvananthapuram. The girl was returning with her mother after visiting her sister, when the accused, who was on a motorcycle, attempted to grab the girl. Although she evaded the attempt, the accused’s hand forcefully hit her on her right shoulder. Although he drove away, he returned to follow the girl.
The victim had noted the accused’s clothes and the two-wheeler and she later identified him from a surveillance camera footage.
Published – October 02, 2026 08:20 pm IST
