Two men sentenced to life imprisonment in separate POCSO Act cases

Two men sentenced to life imprisonment in separate POCSO Act cases

Two men were sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in Chengalpattu after being convicted of raping minor children. They were found guilty under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in two separate cases.

On February 15, 2023, the Chitlapakkam police station registered a case for offences, including rape, under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and POCSO Act on the complaint of the mother of a victim, aged seven years, who hailed from Chromepet. After investigation, accused R. Venkatesan, 51, was arrested.

Following due process of law, as mandated by the POCSO Act, the investigation was completed in a timely manner, and the final report was filed before the Special Court for POCSO Act cases, Chengalpattu, the police said. The trial commenced on October 14 last year. At the conclusion of the trial, the special court sentenced Venkatesan to life imprisonment, besides imposing a fine on him. 

Similarly, another case was registered at Maraimalai Nagar police station in 2019 under the provisions of the POCSO Act on the complaint of the mother of a victim, aged about nine years, from Chengalpattu. The police arrested the accused Aaroon, a 31-year-old Thiruvotriyur native, for offences including penetrative sexual assault. 

The trial commenced on October 5, 2019, and at the conclusion of trial, the special court sentenced him to life imprisonment. He was also fined. 

A senior police officer of the Tambaram City Police said in both cases, to establish the guilt of accused, witnesses were examined, exhibits were produced, and material objects were marked in support of the prosecution, amidst the accused persons’ efforts to evade trial proceedings.

At one point, the accused prolonged the trial proceedings. Consistent and persistent efforts were taken to show progress in the trial, and continuous follow-up ensured the appearance of the accused, which resulted in achieving the legal ends of justice and conviction, the officer said.