Sobha John. File photoKochi: The Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court on Tuesday awarded eight years of imprisonment to prime accused Sobha John and co-accused Jayarajan Nair in the sensational Varappuzha sex scandal.
The court also slapped a fine of Rs 1.11 lakh on Sobha John and Rs 1.10 lakh on Jayarajan Nair. This amount would be handed over to the victim.
Other accused in the case Anil Kumar (Cape Ani), Pushpavathi, Vinod Kumar, Jinson Jose, and Baiju P. Varghese were acquitted, citing lack of evidence.
Sobha John, was found guilty under various sections of IPC including 376 (rape), 366A (procuration of minor girl), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 506(1) (criminal intimidation).
The case was registered after the police in Varappuzha busted a sex racket run by Shoba in August, 2011. The minor girl, who was rescued from a brothel, said that her parents had sold her to Sobha for Rs 1 lakh. In Sobha's custody, the girl was exploited by some 200 people at several places in and outside Kerala.
The police registered 26 cases and arraigned 80 persons, of whom 72 were arrested.
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