78-year-old paediatrician sentenced to 47 years in POCSO case
A 78-year-old retired paediatrician has been sentenced to a total of 47 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl at his clinic in Periya, Kasaragod district.
The Hosdurg Fast Track Special Court, presided over by Judge P. M. Suresh, pronounced the sentence on October 31. The convicted doctor, identified as Dr P. Krishnan, was also fined ₹1.25 lakh.
The incident took place on June 25, 2020, when the girl, then 15 years old, visited the doctor's clinic with her father for treatment of an infected sore on her leg.
According to the prosecution, the doctor took the girl into his examination room and sexually assaulted her during the consultation. She disclosed the incident to her parents the following day.
The court awarded 20 years' imprisonment under Section 376(3) of the IPC for rape of a girl below 16 years. He was also sentenced to 20 years under the POCSO Act for penetrative sexual assault and seven years for aggravated sexual assault.
Although the total sentence amounts to 47 years, all sentences will run concurrently. Consequently, the doctor will have to serve 20 years in prison, according to Special Public Prosecutor A. Gangadharan.
The court also ordered fines totalling ₹1.25 lakh. Failure to pay the fines would attract an additional 18 months' imprisonment.
Dr Krishnan had retired as superintendent of Kasaragod District Hospital at Kanhangad and subsequently started his clinic at Periya. He was taken into custody following the court verdict and sent to prison. The case was investigated by Bekal police.
