Thodupuzha: A man has been sentenced to three life terms and a fine of ₹3 lakh for repeatedly sexually abusing his daughter between the ages of five and eight. The order states that the accused will remain in prison until his death.

Judge V Manju, who is holding additional charge of the Painavu fast-track court in Idukki, passed the judgment. The incident came to light in 2020 when the child was eight years old. According to the statement, the father had been sexually abusing the child at their house since the time the girl was studying in first standard. The child, who was experiencing constant stomach pain, used to regularly visit the hospital with her mother for treatment. One day, while waiting for a bus to go to the hospital, the child expressed suspicions that the stomach pain was not going away because of her father's actions. Noticing this, the mother probed further. Information about the abuse came to light through the counselling that followed.

The Karimannur police registered a case, investigated and filed a final report against the accused. The court accepted the prosecution's argument that maximum punishment should be given to the accused for the brutal sexual abuse his daughter suffered. The child testified that the accused abused her in two rented houses where the family lived. There was also an incident where the child's mother fell unconscious in the court on the day she came to give her statement.

The court ruled that if the fine is paid, it should be given to the child. If the accused fails to pay the fine, he will be required to serve an additional six years in prison. The court also recommended that the District Legal Service Authority provide adequate compensation to the child.

In recent times, two people were sentenced to double life imprisonment each in similar cases by the same court, and another was sentenced to triple life imprisonment. Special Public Prosecutor Shijomon Joseph Kandathinkarayil appeared in court on behalf of the prosecution. Senior Civil Police Officer Asha P K assisted the prosecution in the case investigated by Karimannur Police Inspector Bejoy P T.