The special court for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases in Tirunelveli has awarded death sentence to a preacher for sexually assaulting four minor girls in 2022.

According to the prosecution, preacher S. Abraham, 50, who had been running a prayer hall at Mela Ilanthaikulam near Thevarkulam in the district, sexually assaulted the minors under the guise of taking moral science classes for them during their vacation.

After the girls informed their parents, they filed complaints with the Thevarkulam police, who arrested Abraham on July 5, 2022.

POCSO Special Court Magistrate Suresh Kumar awarded the death sentence to Abraham on Thursday (August 20, 2026).

Published - August 20, 2026 12:45 pm IST