Thrissur First Class Additional District and Sessions Court on Tuesday sentenced Sanil K. James, a pastor, to 40 years of rigorous imprisonment under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act) Act for molesting a minor girl. The judge K.P. Sudheer also slapped a fine of Rs.20,000 on the pastor with Salvation Army Church, Peechi. According to the prosecution, the pastor hailing from Karukachal, Kottayam district, molested the 12-year-old girl, a seventh standard student, in April 2014, at his quarters on the church premises at Peechi.

The court found him guilty under IPC Section 376 (2) (rape) and POCSO Section 5 (S).The judge observed that the accused deserved maximum punishment for his most cruel act against a minor girl.

This is the biggest ever jail term given to an accused under the POCSO Act in the state, according to legal experts. Peechi police investigated the case on a complaint received by the Child Welfare Committee, Thrissur.

Umesh, circle inspector, Ollur, registered the FIR. Special Prosecutor Pius Mathew appeared for the prosecution. Child Welfare Committee Chairman P.O. George said there are more than 300 cases registered under the POCSO Act in Thrissur district alone.

Incidentally, another case has also been registered against the pastor with the Peechi police for molesting another girl belonging to SC/ST community. The trial in the case is yet to begin. The convict has been sent to Viyyur Central Prison.