The Hindu : Kerala News : Suryanelli: only prime accused convicted

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Friday, Jan 21, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Suryanelli: only prime accused convicted

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, JAN. 20. A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court today acquitted all except the prime accused in the Suryanelli sex scandal case.

Though the Bench comprising Justice K.A. Abdul Gafoor and Justice R. Basant set aside life imprisonment awarded to the prime accused, S.S. Dharmarajan, on charges of gang rape and kidnapping, it imposed five years' rigorous imprisonment on him on other counts.

In its final judgment on the appeals filed by the accused, the Bench said that the prime accused was not entitled to any leniency, taking into account the nature of offences and the victim's plight.

The Suryanelli case relates to the abduction and sexual assault of a minor by several men in a span of 40 days in 1996. The prosecution case was that the 16-year-old schoolgirl from Suryanelli in Idukki district was enticed, abducted and sexually exploited by a bus conductor on January 16, 1996. She was later handed over to two others, including the prime accused who was a lawyer. The duo presented her to several men. The girl was released on February 26 by her abductors.

In September 6, 2000, the Special Court sentenced the 35 accused to rigorous imprisonment for varying terms. The first accused, conductor Raju, and the second accused, Usha, were sentenced to 13 years' rigorous imprisonment with fine, and an additional jail term of four years on different counts. The key accused, S.S. Dharmarajan, was absconding, but was arrested later.

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