A Special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Court in the Indian state of Kerala has convicted cricket coach Manu M.K. of sexually abusing a minor female cricketer, sentencing him to a cumulative 47 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹79,000. However, because the court ordered the individual sentences under various legal provisions to run concurrently, he will serve an effective prison term of 20 years in this case.
The court also ruled that the sentence will commence only after Manu M.K. completes the prison terms previously imposed in two earlier POCSO cases in which he had already been convicted. As a result, the punishment will be served consecutively to his existing sentences, in accordance with Indian legal procedure.
According to court records, the offences occurred in 2018 while Manu M.K. was working as a cricket coach. Prosecutors alleged that he repeatedly sexually abused a minor student by exploiting both his professional position and the trust placed in him by the victim’s family. Following the allegations, investigators gathered evidence that led to charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
After an extensive judicial process, the Special POCSO Court examined witness testimonies, documentary evidence, forensic findings and submissions from both the prosecution and the defence before finding the accused guilty on all charges. Although separate prison terms were awarded for different offences, the court directed that they should run simultaneously, reducing the effective sentence in this particular case to 20 years while leaving the total cumulative sentence at 47 years.
This marks the third POCSO conviction against Manu M.K. He had previously been found guilty in two similar child sexual abuse cases. Under the court’s latest order, the current sentence will begin only after he has completed serving the penalties imposed in those earlier convictions.
The case attracted renewed public attention in 2024 after several former students came forward with allegations of sexual abuse against the coach. Their complaints prompted further investigations, ultimately resulting in six separate POCSO cases being registered against him. Judgments have now been delivered in three of those cases, with convictions secured in each. The remaining three cases are still before the courts.
India enacted the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2012 to provide a comprehensive legal framework for addressing crimes of sexual abuse, harassment and exploitation involving children. The legislation is designed to ensure child-friendly investigations and trials, protect the identity of victims and facilitate the swift disposal of sensitive cases through designated special courts.
Legal experts and child rights advocates have frequently stressed that schools, sports academies and coaching institutions must adopt robust child protection policies to safeguard young people from abuse. They argue that organisations responsible for children’s education and training should establish secure reporting mechanisms, carry out regular monitoring and ensure that allegations are investigated promptly and impartially. They also emphasise that timely completion of ongoing prosecutions is essential to delivering justice for victims and reinforcing public