Teacher Convicted in Palathayi POCSO Case Dismissed from Service
Kannur: K Padmarajan (49), a former BJP leader and teacher from Kurungatt House, Kadavathoor Mundathode, who was accused in the Palathayi sexual abuse case, has been dismissed from service. Minister V Sivankutty announced that the school manager issued an order dismissing the teacher, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the POCSO case.
Earlier, the Public Education Department had urgently instructed the school manager to remove the teacher from service.
‘The school manager has issued an order dismissing teacher Padmarajan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Palathayi POCSO case, from service,’ Minister V Sivankutty wrote on Facebook.
The Palathayi sexual abuse case is one that caused a great stir. Information about a ten-year-old girl being sexually abused in a school toilet was first received by Childline. Based on the complaint filed by the child’s mother, Panur police registered a case on March 17, 2020. The accused was arrested on April 15 from a hideout in Poyiloor Vilakkottur.
At the request of the girl’s mother, the State Police Chief transferred the investigation to the Crime Branch on April 24, 2020. Crime Branch Detective Inspector Madhusoodanan Nair filed an interim charge sheet in the case, invoking sections 75 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice Act. When the court granted bail to the accused, the child’s mother approached the High Court again.
Following the prosecution’s informing the High Court that the investigation was proceeding in the wrong direction, a special police team led by Coastal ADGP E J Jayarajan and DYSP Ratnakumar took over the investigation. The final charge sheet, invoking POCSO sections, was filed in May 2021. The Thalassery POCSO court found the accused guilty after the trial, which began in February 2024.
The court had found Padmarajan guilty in the case. The sentence was handed down last week. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of one lakh rupees. If the fine is not paid, he will have to undergo an additional year of imprisonment. In addition, under the POCSO Act, he has been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment and a fine of one lakh rupees under two sections. The court stated that the accused must pay a total fine of two lakh rupees.