The Kollam District and Sessions Judge, Ashok Menon, on Saturday sentenced Podimon Sivaraman, 40, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of raping his minor daughter over three years.
The Judge said in his verdict that, “the sentence means imprisonment for the rest of his life as provided under the relevant section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Podimon will also not be entitled to get his remand period set off against the sentence of imprisonment for life.” The Judge also directed the convict to pay a fine of Rs.25,000.
The victim was entitled to a ‘victim compensation’ of Rs.5 lakh and the same should be paid to her by the government within 30 days of the date of the verdict, the verdict said.
The Judge found the accused guilty under section 376(f) (being a relative, guardian or teacher of, or a person in a position of trust or authority towards the woman, commits rape on such woman) and 376 (i) (commits rape on a woman when she is under sixteen years of age) of the IPC.
Prosecutor for the case Sudhir Jacob told the court that when Podimon’s wife eloped, leaving behind three children, the victim, who was only 12 years then, was made to live as the de facto wife of the accused. It was also the victim’s duty to take care of her younger siblings.
The rape continued for three years and the victim was threatened to keep it a secret. Mr. Sudhir told the court that the victim was shifted to a charity home by some teachers so that she could pursue her studies. Only then did they come to know that the girl was six months pregnant, the court was told. The charity home authorities informed the police and the case was investigated by the Anchal police. The victim delivered of a child.
Mr. Sudhir asked the court to grant the ‘maximum punishment’ under the law as the ‘offence committed was barbaric.’