Thalassery: A POCSO Fast Track Special Court on Friday sentenced K. Padmarajan, a teacher and former BJP-backed president of Thrippangottur Panchayat, to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old fourth-grade student in Palathayi, Panoor, Kannur. The court also imposed a fine of ₹2 lakh, with Padmarajan required to serve an additional year in prison if the fine is not paid. Under the POCSO Act provisions, he must remain in prison for the rest of his life.
The sentencing was delivered by Special Court Judge M.T. Jalajarani, following a trial that began on February 23, 2024, before Loksabha Court Judge T.T. George. After Judge George was transferred, the trial continued before Judge B. Sreeja. During the proceedings, the prosecution examined 40 witnesses, including the victim, and submitted 77 documents and 14 audio-visual records. The defence examined three witnesses.
The case arose from a complaint filed by the girl’s mother, alleging that Padmarajan sexually assaulted the child three times at Kadavathur Mundathodu Kurungattu House in January 2020. The Panur Police registered the case on March 17, 2020, and arrested Padmarajan on April 15 from Poilur Vilakkottur. Following a request from the victim’s mother, the investigation was handed over to the Crime Branch on April 24, 2020, which filed a chargesheet on July 14, 2020.
During the trial, the accused argued that he was not present at the school on the stated dates and claimed inaccuracies in the victim’s account. The prosecution, led by P.M. Basuri, countered these claims by citing a High Court ruling that precise dates are not critical when children recount incidents of sexual assault.
After the verdict, Padmarajan’s bail was cancelled, and he was transferred to Thalassery Sub Jail.