Ayanavaram rape case: Accused wants jail term quashed

Umapathi, the 17th accused in the case, had submitted in his appeal moved on Tuesday that while he was an electrician the police had mentioned him as a plumber. Moreover, his name was not included in the FIR and his inclusion as an accused only based on the confession of the minor victim. Hence, the punishment imposed on him ought to be quashed, he said in his appeal. The plea is poised to be taken up for hearing soon.

A special court to try cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act convicted 15 of the 17 accused charged with grave offences, including aggravated penetrative sexual assault, on an 11-year-old hearing impaired girl in Ayanavaram in 2018. One of the accused was let off, while another died during the trial.

All the 17 persons arrested by the All-Women Police arrested were service staff – lift operators, electricians, plumbers, security guards and gardeners – at the apartment complex where the girl lived with her family. The accused had developed an acquaintance with the victim and reportedly committed aggravated sexual assault and penetrative assault on several occasions, from January 15 to July 14, 2018.

Lift operator Ravikumar (56), is said to have initiated the sexual assault while the other offenders followed him, the prosecution said.