A Judge of the Mahila Court here on Thursday found a 51-year-old man guilty of sexual abuse of his daughter, resulting in the minor girl getting pregnant six years ago. The court said the sentence would be pronounced on Monday.
According to prosecution, R. Palanisamy, an auto-rickshaw driver, had resorted to sexual abuse of his daughter from the time she turned 17. She is now 23 years old. Palanisamy and his wife had two children and were living in Ramanathapuram. His wife was employed at a workshop.
In November 2007, the girl was found six months pregnant when she was taken to a private hospital at Ramanathapuram for examination. The foetus was found dead when the pregnancy was sought to be terminated.
Subsequently, the girl was married off.
In June 2009, the girl filed a police complaint.
A case was registered against Palanisamy under section 376 (rape) and 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
The victim, her mother and brother, who were listed as witnesses, turned hostile during the trial in June 2012.
However, the court relied on the magistrate before whom the girl had deposed, and proceeded to convict Palanisamy.
Mahila Court judge M.P. Subramanian asked the accused whether he had any submission regarding the sentence.
Palanisamy pleaded that he was innocent and said the charges were false.
He added that he had given his daughter in marriage and that she was leading a happy life. Hence, he prayed for acquittal.
The judge ordered that Palanisamy be taken into judicial custody and produced in court on January 28, when the sentences would be pronounced.
He was taken to Coimbatore Central Prison.
