Kerala priest gets life imprisonment for raping a minor

Thrissur: A priest of Salvation Army Church has been sentenced imprisonment to death for raping 13-year-old girl multiple times since 2014. The judgement is given by a special court of Thrissur.

The pastor Sanil K James was convicted in March 2016 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Harassment (POCSO) Act. He is already serving a 40-year sentence for raping a 12-year-old twice during December 2013, DC reported.

The girl informed about the abuse to her teacher, who informed the child helpline. The child Welfare Committee then alerted the police. The pastor could get arrested after the medical report found the girl had been raped.

He is charged under POCSO as well as Indian Penal Code (IPC).The trial was held in the POCSO court with a special arrangement so that no on could see him. The prosecution produced 32 witnesses, 16 documents and four pieces of material evidence. Public prosecutor Pious Mathew appeared on behalf of the victim.

The pastor has been currently kept at the Viyyur Central Jail.