The prime accused in a 25-year-old sex trade case in Kerala was sentenced to 24 years rigorous imprisonment by a court in Kottayam district on Friday.
A minor girl hailing from Vithura in Thiruvananthapuram was allegedly lured by the accused, Suresh alias Shamsudeen Shajahan (51), hailing from Kollam district in 1995 with the help of another woman and was subjected to sex trade for several months at a brothel. Several prominent personalities, including an actor, were accused in the case but were later acquitted.
Suresh, who was the prime accused in 24 cases registered in this connection, was initially absconding. His surrender came nearly 20 years after the others accused in the case were acquitted. However, he absconded again when he was out on bail and was later nabbed in Hyderabad.
He was found guilty under various sections of the IPC and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Since he could undergo the sentences for various offences concurrently, he needs to serve a jail term of around 10 years. A fine of Rs 1.09 lakh was also imposed on him which would be given to the victim as relief.
The verdict in only one of the 24 cases was pronounced on Friday while that of 23 cases is still pending.
Published 12 February 2021, 15:24 IST