A 51-year-old astrologer, Ramakrishnan, has been sentenced to 200 years in prison for sexually assaulting two minor girls. The Sivagangai POCSO Court also imposed a ₹2 lakh fine on him. Each victim will receive ₹10 lakh compensation from the Tamil Nadu government.
Crime Details
In November 2021, a mother from Tirupattur took her 14- and 17-year-old daughters to Ramakrishnan for help with studies. The astrologer, under the guise of pujas, sexually assaulted them repeatedly. He threatened the girls, saying their parents would die if they spoke out. Fearing him, the girls kept silent for months.
Discovery and Police Action
When the girls fell ill, they revealed the abuse to their mother. She immediately filed a complaint with the Tirupattur All Women Police Station. Investigators confirmed that the girls had contracted sexually transmitted infections. Ramakrishnan, originally from Managiri in Sivagangai, was arrested in 2022 and held at Madurai Central Jail.
Court Proceedings
The case took four and a half years to complete. Justice Gokulmurugan found Ramakrishnan guilty of assaulting both girls. The court sentenced him to 100 years for each victim, totalling 200 years. The court also ordered the government to provide compensation and imposed a fine on the convict.
Significance
This landmark ruling highlights India’s commitment to protecting children. Legal experts say strict punishments deter future offenders. The case also underscores the importance of reporting abuse quickly and the role of prompt police action.
The courage of the victims and their families, combined with decisive judicial intervention, ensured justice. This verdict strengthens India’s fight against child sexual abuse and sends a strong message to offenders nationwide.
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