Kasaragod: Madrasa teacher sentenced to 53 years behind bars for sexually abusing minor boys

Kasaragod: The Kasaragod Additional District Sessions Court (First) convicted a Madrasa teacher of sexually abusing minor boys and sentence him to 53 years of rigorous imprisonment and a penalty of Rs 3.25 lakhs under the provisions of the POCSO Act and other sections relevant sections of the law.

The convict identified as Abdul Hanif Madani (44), a resident of Badrakadambu of Vitla Padnoor village in Bantwal, had been accused of sexually harassing 2 boys (aged 10 and 11 years) studying at the Madrasa on several occasions. Ambalathara police had registered a case in 2016 in this regard.

The court, after hearing the arguments and evidence presented, delivered a guilty verdict. The court sentenced Madani to serve 20 years imprisonment each under 2 sections of the POCSO Act and another 13 years under two sections of the IPC. The jail term could be served concurrently, the verdict said.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 3.25 lakh on the convict. In case of non-payment of the fines, Madani was ordered to undergo additional three-and-a-half years of imprisonment.

The judgement also ordered the fine to be paid to the aggrieved boys as compensation.

In another similar case two years ago, the court sentenced Madani to 20 years imprisonment.