In a significant judgment delivered on 18.08.2025, the Special Court for POCSO Act Cases, Chengalpattu, sentenced Gopinath (41), son of Karupaiyya, resident of Kannagi Nagar, Chennai – 97, to life imprisonment for committing Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault on two minor boys aged 8 years and 5 years. The incident occurred on 13.09.2016, when the victims were playing near the residence of the accused. Gopinath lured the children into his house and committed penetrative sexual assault.
Based on the information of the victims’ mother, a case was registered at Kannagi Nagar Police Station in Cr. No.1321/2016 under Sections 6 of POCSO Act., (two counts) and 506 (ii) IPC, on 13.09.2016, and taken up for investigation. During the course of investigation, the accused was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. After a fair and thorough investigation, a final report was filed before the court against Gopinath U/s 6 of POCSO Act., (two counts), 12 of POCSO Act., and 366, 506(ii) IPC.
The case was taken up as S.C. No. 47/2019 before the Mahila Sessions Court, Chengalpattu, on 31.12.2019. During the trial, 14 witnesses were examined and 23 exhibits and 4 material objects were marked in support of the prosecution. Upon appreciation of the evidence, the court found Gopinath guilty and awarded the following punishments:
• Section 366 IPC – 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,000/- (in default, 1year simple imprisonment).
• Section 506(ii) IPC – 2 years Imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,000/- (in default, 3 months simple imprisonment).
• Section 6 of POCSO Act– Life Imprisonment (two counts) and fine of Rs. 1,000/- each, (in default, 1year simple imprisonment).
• Section 12 of POCSO Act – 3 years Imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,000/- (in default, 3 months simple imprisonment).
Additionally, the court awarded compensation of Rs. 10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakhs), each victim Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs), as per the statutory provisions.
