Kochi, Oct 23 A court in Aluva here has sentenced a 33-year-old man to 37 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1.2 lakh for sexually assaulting a minor girl after befriending her through Instagram.
The Aluva Fast Track Special Court convicted Deepak T P, a native of Perinad in Pathanamthitta district, under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code.
According to the prosecution, the accused lured the 13-year-old girl by feigning affection and chatting with her on Instagram.
During the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, he sexually assaulted her several times at his rented residence in Vazhakkala.
The Thrikkakara police registered the case in 2020 and arrested the accused.
Circle Inspector Shabu R investigated the case and filed the chargesheet.
Government Pleader Yamuna appeared for the prosecution.
(PTI News)
