Kerala court sentences man to cumulative 19 years in jail for sexual assault of stepdaughter
Idukki (Kerala), (PTI): A Kerala court has sentenced a man to a cumulative of 19 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting his teenage stepdaughter at their home in Chempakappara area of Idukki district in the state.
Idukki Fast Track Special Court judge T G Varghese gave the man varying jail terms, for a total of 19 years, under different provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
However, the convict will serve only five years imprisonment, the highest of the varying jail terms, as the sentence is to be served concurrently, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Shijo Mon Joseph said.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 35,000 on the stepfather, the prosecutor said.
It also directed the district legal service authority to pay Rs 25,000 for the rehabilitation of the victim, he said.
The incident related to the case took place in Chempakappara under Murickassery police station in Idukki earlier this year, the SPP said.
He said that according to the 13-year-old victim, her stepfather sexually assaulted her twice on two separate days when her mother went to take bath at night.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Jharkhand: IAS officer Pooja Singhal's suspension revoked after bail in money laundering case
Ranchi (PTI): The suspension of IAS officer Pooja Singhal, who was in jail for over two years in a money laundering case, was revoked after she secured bail, an official of the Jharkhand government said on Wednesday.
Singhal was suspended on May 12, 2022, a day after her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The case relates to alleged corruption in implementing MGNREGA, the Centre's flagship scheme for rural employment.
"In light of the recommendations made by the Suspension Review Committee after due consideration, Pooja Singhal, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been reinstated with effect from December 7, 2024, following her release on bail," said a notification issued by the Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Raj Bhasa on Tuesday evening.
After being relieved from suspension, Singhal will contribute to the Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Raj Bhasa, it stated.
The ED had accused Singhal, a former secretary in the state Mines Department, of money laundering. A special court granted her bail on December 7 last year.
