The Fast Track Mahila Court here on Wednesday (February 11, 2026) sentenced a 21-year-old youth to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student.
According to the prosecution, V. Tharunkumar developed a friendship with the minor through Instagram and later sexually assaulted her. He also allegedly threatened to upload photographs taken during their association on social media and continued to harass her. Based on a complaint, the All Women Police Station in Gobichettipalayam registered a case under Sections 4 and 11(iv) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. He was arrested in 2023 and remanded to judicial custody.
After the trial, C. Sornakumar, Sessions Judge, found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexual assault and three years of rigorous imprisonment for sexual harassment. The judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently and imposed a total fine of ₹10,000. Special Public Prosecutor M. Jayanthi appeared for the prosecution.
Published – February 11, 2026 07:45 pm IST
