India
Tirunelveli POCSO Court Awards Death Sentence, Prison Terms to Three in Minor's Gang Rape Case
A Special Court set up under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Tirunelveli has delivered verdicts against three men convicted of gang-raping a minor, sentencing one to death and the other two to lengthy prison terms.
According to the prosecution, the case dates back to 2022, when the 16-year-old victim from Tirunelveli met Muneeswaran, a 25-year-old painter from Vilathikulam, at a place of worship. The two exchanged phone numbers and stayed in touch for roughly two weeks.
Muneeswaran later took the girl on his motorbike to his elder sister's residence in Meenakshipuram, telling her he intended to marry her. Once there, he sexually assaulted her. He then summoned two of his friends, Chinnakutti, 28, from Kokkirakulam, and Murugesan, 23, from Veeraraghavapuram in Palayamkottai, to the house, and both men also sexually assaulted the victim, the prosecution said.
The assault came to light after the victim confided in her parents, who filed a complaint at the Palayamkottai All Women Police Station. Police subsequently arrested all three men—Muneeswaran, Chinnakutti, and Murugesan.
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Special Court judge Suresh Kumar pronounced the sentences: Chinnakutti was sentenced to death, Murugesan received a 20-year prison term, and Muneeswaran was sentenced to 13 years in prison.