A 46-year-old male dance teacher from Kollam was sentenced to 52 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing a seven-year-old boy.
The Fast Track Special Court (POCSO), Thiruvananthapuram, also imposed a fine of ₹3.25 lakh on the accused, Sunil Kumar of Thulasimukku, Kollam. Fast Track Court (POCSO) Judge Anju Meera Birla observed that the accused, who is a teacher, does not deserve any leniency as he betrayed the trust students placed in him.
Sunil Kumar will have to undergo a further 3.5 years of simple imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.
Special Public Prosecutor R.S. Vijay Mohan appeared for the Prosecution. Sunil Kumar had been charged with forcing the boy into unnatural sexual acts on multiple occasions when the latter trained with him from 2017 to 2019.
When the child exhibited reluctance to attend the classes, the parents encouraged him to continue as they put it down to laziness. Under threat from the teacher, the boy also did not disclose his shocking experience to his family. He informed the parents only when they were preparing to send his younger brother also to the same dance teacher for classes. The young victim has been provided counselling following the incident.
Suneesh N. and Suresh M.R. who were inspectors at the Pangode police station had investigated the complaint against the teacher. The accused also has a case against him registered at the Kadakkal police station for sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy.
Published – June 28, 2025 08:55 pm IST
