Coimbatore POCSO court awards 8 years' rigorous imprisonment to man for sexually harassing boy
The Special Court for the trial of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Coimbatore on Tuesday sentenced a man to eight years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually harassing a boy in the city in 2025. Judge K. Hariharan awarded the punishment to Sethu Madhavan, a cook from Kerala who had come to Coimbatore for work. The court also imposed a fine of ₹2,000 on the convict.
According to the police, Madhavan saw the survivor sitting in the waiting area at Vadavalli bus stand, waiting for his regular bus. Madhavan approached the boy and sexually harassed him. The case was registered at the All Women Police Station, Coimbatore West.
A team led by Inspector G. Palaniammal arrested Madhavan and investigated the case initially. Inspector C. Maheswari filed the chargesheet against him. The court delivered the judgment in the case after the trial on Tuesday.
The POCSO Act, enacted in 2012, provides a special legal framework to protect children from sexual offences. It defines a child as any person below the age of 18. The law covers offences including penetrative sexual assault, aggravated penetrative sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual harassment, and use of a child for pornographic purposes. Punishments vary according to the gravity of the offence, and special courts are designated to try such cases. The Act also mandates that the identity of the child victim is not disclosed.
Under the POCSO Act, proceedings are generally held in camera to protect the child's privacy. The law requires the court to complete the trial within one year from the date of taking cognizance, and it provides for recording the child's statement in a manner that avoids repeated questioning. The judgment in this case was delivered by the special court constituted for this purpose.
The POCSO Act also contains provisions for compensation to child victims. The Special Court may direct the state to pay compensation for the physical and mental harm suffered by the child. In addition, the law provides for interim compensation to meet immediate needs. Child welfare committees and special juvenile police units are involved in the rehabilitation process.
Legal proceedings under POCSO are conducted with sensitivity. The court may allow a support person to accompany the child during testimony. The identity of the child is protected, and media reporting is expected to avoid details that could reveal the child's identity. In this case, the court pronounced the sentence after completing the trial.
The police investigation was conducted by the All Women Police Station, Coimbatore West. The arrest was made by a team led by Inspector G. Palaniammal, and the chargesheet was filed by Inspector C. Maheswari. The court found the charges proved and awarded the sentence.
Child rights advocates say that timely reporting and prosecution are important to deter crimes against children. They also stress the need for support services for survivors, including counselling and rehabilitation. Helplines such as Childline 1098 are available for children in distress.
The court's order serves as a reminder that sexual offences against children are treated seriously under Indian law. The identity of the survivor has been withheld in keeping with legal protections. The convict will serve rigorous imprisonment for eight years and pay the fine.
