Thiruvananthapuram: A 24-year-old man was sentenced to 23 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹20,000 by the Thiruvananthapuram Fast Track POCSO Court for repeatedly abusing a 16-year-old girl. The accused is identified as Sujith alias Chakkara of Poonkulam. Judge Anju Meera Birla ordered that the fine be handed over to the girl, adding that failure to pay would result in an additional eight months of imprisonment.

The incident took place on March 12, 2022, when Sujith, who was in a relationship with the girl after promising marriage, abducted her and confined her in a lodge at Varkala for two days.

According to the prosecution, this was not his first offence involving the same girl. In September 2021, Sujith had trespassed into her home and assaulted her over several days. He was arrested and remanded, but later released on bail. Following his release, the girl reportedly threatened suicide if he refused to take her with him. Sujith then took her to Varkala, where the second offence occurred.

Her disappearance prompted her parents to file a complaint, leading to a police search and rescue. Forensic analysis of her clothes confirmed traces of semen. In the earlier case, the same court had already sentenced Sujith to 50 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor R S Vijay Mohan with advocates Nivya Robin and Aravind R, examined 32 witnesses and submitted 29 documents and four material objects. The investigation was carried out by Fort Assistant Commissioner S Shaji and Fort SI K Unnikrishnan Nair.