The Muvattupuzha Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Court sentenced a Christian pastor who sexually assaulted an eleven-year-old boy to 55 years in prison and a fine of Rs 1,40,000. The minor who had come to pray in the church was subjected to unnatural sex.
Vattamattamchirail Mani (54) from Kottayam Kallara, the pastor of Mamalakkandam Chamappara New Testament Church, was punished by Judge Anishkumar P.V Spl. Judge, Addl.Special Court for the trial of PoCSO Act cases, Muvattupuzha.
The sodomy began when the minor victim attended New Year prayers on 31 December 2016. Mani took the boy to a nearby shed for blessings and tortured him. Later, the paedophile priest abused the boy at the church and the pastor’s house. The boy was staying at his grandmother’s house at the time.
Two years later, when he joined a new school, the boy told his friend about the incident. The teachers learned about the violation and took the child to the doctor for counselling. The doctor informed the Kuttampuzha police of the matter.
Sub Inspector (SI) V.K. Sasikumar, civil police officers V.M. Zainaba and Chandrakant led the investigation, which resulted in a charge sheet being submitted to the Court. Punishment was meted out under various sections of the PoCSO act.
Mani will have to undergo additional imprisonment if the fine is not paid. The Court also directed the payment of the fine as compensation to the victim—Public Prosecutor Adv. PR Jamuna appeared for the prosecution.
