Kerala Teacher Sentenced To Life For Raping 10-Year-Old Student In Kannur School
Kerala teacher sentenced to life for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old student.
A fast-track court in Kerala’s Kannur district on Saturday sentenced a 48-year-old school teacher, Padmarajan K, to life imprisonment for raping a 10-year-old student under his supervision in 2020. The Thalassery Fast Track Special Court, presided over by Judge Jalarajani M T, found the accused guilty under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a detailed trial.
Padmarajan, also known locally as “Pappen Master,” was convicted under IPC Section 376AB (rape of a girl below 12 years of age) and Sections 5(f) and 5(l) of the POCSO Act, which deal with repeated sexual assault on a child. The court imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh under the IPC charge and Rs 50,000 each under the POCSO provisions, with the amount directed to be paid as compensation to the victim. The judge ruled that the POCSO sentences will be served first, followed by the life term.
According to the prosecution, the teacher repeatedly assaulted the Class 4 student at his residence and inside the school premises between January and February 2020. The horrifying acts came to light after the girl bravely shared her ordeal. Panoor police registered a case on March 17 of that year and arrested Padmarajan a month later. The accused, associated with the BJP, initially claimed political conspiracy, but investigations later confirmed his guilt.
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The case went through multiple rounds of investigation amid controversy. Initially handled by the Crime Branch, the probe excluded POCSO charges, allowing the accused to secure bail, which sparked public outrage. Following pressure from the victim’s family and social groups, the Kerala High Court intervened, ordering a fresh inquiry. The fifth investigation team, led by Additional Director General of Police E J Jayaraj, finally completed the probe and filed a comprehensive chargesheet based on testimonies of 42 witnesses and 91 documents.
Before sentencing, Padmarajan pleaded for leniency, citing that he was the sole breadwinner of his family. However, the prosecution argued that the severity of the crime warranted the harshest punishment. The court rejected his plea, stressing the need for deterrence in such cases. Padmarajan was immediately transferred to Kannur Central Prison following the verdict. The District Legal Services Authority has also been directed to reassess the victim’s compensation and ensure proper support under the state’s child welfare framework.
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