The Fast Track Special Court II, Manjeri, on Saturday (June 27) sentenced a 22-year-old man to 24 years’ rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl under the guise of love.

Judge Varun K.S. convicted Swalih V. under multiple sections of the POCSO Act and imposed a fine of ₹65,000.

The court found that Swalih befriended the girl over mobile phone in 2024, took her to various locations, and abused her multiple times in July and August.

The case was registered at Vazhakkad police station. The District Legal Services Authority has been directed to pay additional compensation to the survivor under the Victim Compensation Scheme. Swalih was shifted to Tavanur Central Jail to serve his sentence.