Kerala Court Imposes Life Sentence on Man for Assaulting Minor

A Kerala court sentenced Afsal to life in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. The court also imposed fines and ordered compensation for the victim. Afsal, the primary accused, was involved in additional crimes during the trial period.

A Kerala court has issued a life sentence to Afsal, aged 29, for the kidnapping and brutal sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy, an incident that took place in 2022.

The Nadapuram Fast Track Special Court, under Judge Devan K Menon, sentenced Afsal to 16 years on multiple charges as per the Indian Penal Code and life imprisonment under the POCSO Act, according to special public prosecutor Manoj Aroor.

The court also levied a fine of Rs 2.1 lakh, earmarked for the victim. It recommended additional compensation for the victim's trauma via the Kozhikode District Legal Services Authority.

The crime unfolded on July 17, 2022, when the victim was abducted near his residence using a Haryana-registered vehicle, detained, and assaulted in Koduvally, Kozhikode. Afsal was the first to be tried, while a second accused, Mubasheer, is awaiting trial after absconding.

Afsal's trial was prolonged due to his absences, during which he committed a robbery in Kozhikode. This delayed proceedings further as he was apprehended for the robbery, with locals assisting in his capture during a subsequent attempt to flee.