The Hindu : Front Page : Life term for first accused in cyber-porn case

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 08, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Life term for first accused in cyber-porn case

Special Correspondent

Seven-year RI for three others

“Offences committed by first accused were not only against individuals but also against society”
“This court finds that accused deserves maximum sentence imposed in the provisions of law”

CHENNAI: A Fast Track Court (FTC) on Thursday sentenced medical practitioner L. Prakash, the first accused in a cyber-porn case, to life imprisonment and fine of Rs.1.27 lakh.

Three other accused were sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment (RI) and a fine of Rs.2,500 each.

In the 200-page judgment, Judge of FTC-V R. Radha said the offences committed by the first accused were not only against individuals but also against society. Considering their gravity, “…this court finds thatF the accused deserves the maximum sentence imposed in the provisions of law.”

The court sentenced Prakash to seven years RI and a fine of Rs.5,000 under section 506 (ii) IPC; 10 year RI and Rs.5,000 fine under section 367 IPC; five years RI and Rs.1 lakh fine under section 67 of the Information Technology Act; seven years RI and Rs.5,000 fine under section 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act; life imprisonment and Rs.5,000 fine under section 6 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act; two years RI and Rs.2,000 fine under section 4 read with 6 of the Indecent Representation of Women (prohibition) Act; and seven years RI and Rs.5,000 fine under section 27 of the Arms Act.

The sentences would run concurrently.

The other three accused, Saravanan, Vijayan alias Vijayakumar and Asir, were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from two years to seven years for offences under the IPC, Information Technology Act, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the Indecent Representation of Women (prohibition) Act.

The prosecution case was that the doctor, who was running a clinic at Annanagar here, used a farmhouse at Kalanchikuppam near Ennore and a guesthouse at Valasaravakkam to detain girls and sexually exploit them with the help of the other accused. The accused took pictures and uploaded them on the Internet.

The Judge said morality of the community was as essential as good government to a welfare society. The progress of a nation was linked to the standard of morality in a given society.

There was disintegration where no common morality was observed and history showed that the loosening of moral bonds was often the first stage of disintegration. It was also a function of law to preserve public morals and decency.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page