A 45-year-old temple priest, convicted by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Court (POCSO) in Thiruvananthapuram for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl on the pretext of performing rituals to “drive away evil spirits”, was sentenced to two life terms (until death) and a fine of ₹2 lakh.
Bineesh, a native of Moothakunnam in Paravur, Ernakulam, was convicted and sentenced by Additional Sessions Judge Shibu MP Thiruvananthapuram.
According to the prosecution, the accused was serving as a priest in a temple in Kannammool when his surviving mother, then a student of IX. class, who suffered from exam anxiety, her mother led her to special prayers.
The priest allegedly misled the parents into believing the child was possessed and suggested performing certain rituals to exorcise evil spirits. He then took the minor to a puja room attached to the temple premises and subjected the girl to sexual abuse for many days. Finally, the child revealed the details of the torture to the doctors at the mental camp.
The case was argued by Special Public Prosecutor Ajith Prasad JK along with lawyers Bindu VC and Durga RC
Published – 28 Feb 2026 21:19 IST
