Life imprisonment for child sexual abuse in Tamil Nadu

Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu:
In a landmark judgment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Special Court in Tirunelveli has sentenced a 65-year-old man, Muthukutti of Odaimarichan village (under Mukkudal Police Station limits), to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl in 2018. The verdict was delivered on Monday by Judge Suresh Kumar, who is presiding over cases related to the POCSO Act.

Following a complaint lodged by the survivor’s mother in 2018, the Tirunelveli district police promptly arrested the accused under relevant sections of the POCSO Act. After years of trial proceedings, the Special Court found Muthukutti guilty and imposed a life term along with a ₹10,000 fine.

As part of the court’s directive to support the survivor, the Tamil Nadu government has also been instructed to provide ₹3 lakh as victim compensation.

Tirunelveli Police Secure Multiple Convictions in 2025

Highlighting the effectiveness of the district’s law enforcement and judicial coordination, Superintendent of Police N. Silambarasan confirmed that 25 convictions have been secured under the POCSO Act in Tirunelveli district in 2025 alone.

“One of the convicted is a history-sheeter who received a 25-year sentence, thanks to the meticulous case presentation by our police team,” said SP Silambarasan.

These consistent convictions reflect the strong legal framework, efficient investigation, and fast-track trial system implemented to protect child victims and ensure justice in Tamil Nadu.