Express News Service By

The Mahila Court here on Monday sentenced to life Stephen Selvaraj (36), a Home Guard constable for sexually assaulting a co- worker.

Son of Aloysius, Stephen is a resident of Kumarasamypatti and works as writer in the Home Guard constabulary in the grade of a constable. In 2007, he developed intimacy with his co- worker Thangamani (31), daughter of Ganesan of Jaggir Reddypatti. Promising him to marry her, Stephen allegedly had sex with the girl. In 2011, he revealed his intention to marry another girl.

Shocked by this, Thangamani consumed poison and was admitted to Salem GH where she recovered after three days. She lodged a complaint against her lover at the All Woman Police Station, Sooramangaalam. A case was registered. It was taken up by the Mahila Court, Salem in October 2o12.

Delivering judgment in the case on Monday, Judge N Krishnan sentenced Stephen to life as the charges of making promise to entice the girl and sexual assault were proven.

N Kalaiselvi, Public Prosecutor Mahila Court, sentenced Stephen to one-year Rigorous Imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 500 under Section 417 IPC for making false promise. Besides, he was sentenced to life and a fine of Rs 1000, for sexual assault under section 376 of the IPC.