Kerala Cricket Coach Receives 47-Year Sentence for Child Abuse

A special court in the Indian state of Kerala has sentenced a cricket coach to 47 years of rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty of sexually abusing a minor female cricketer. The court also imposed a fine of 79,000 rupees. Despite the combined prison terms amounting to 47 years under multiple offences, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning the convict will effectively serve 20 years in prison in this case. The sentence will begin only after he completes the prison terms already imposed in two earlier convictions.

The convicted coach, Manu M, was found guilty of abusing a position of trust while working as a cricket trainer. According to the prosecution, he repeatedly sexually assaulted a minor student in 2018 while she was under his supervision for cricket coaching. Following the victim’s complaint, investigators gathered evidence supporting the allegations, leading to charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Information Technology Act, and several provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

After an extended judicial process, Kerala’s Special POCSO Court examined witness testimonies, documentary evidence and arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defence before concluding that the charges had been proven beyond reasonable doubt. The court convicted Manu M on all counts and announced separate sentences for different offences. Since the sentences will run simultaneously, the total punishment announced amounts to 47 years, while the effective imprisonment in this case is 20 years. In addition, the court ordered him to pay a fine of 79,000 rupees.

This marks the third conviction against Manu M under the POCSO Act. He had previously been found guilty in two similar child sexual abuse cases. Under the court’s order, the sentence in the present case will take effect only after he completes serving the prison terms imposed in those earlier convictions.

The allegations against the coach attracted renewed public attention in 2024 after several former students came forward with accusations of sexual abuse. Subsequent investigations resulted in six separate POCSO cases being filed against him. Judgments have now been delivered in three of those cases, with convictions secured in each. The remaining cases are still pending before the courts.

India’s POCSO Act is regarded as one of the country’s most stringent legal frameworks for prosecuting crimes involving the sexual abuse of children. The legislation is designed to ensure child-friendly legal procedures, prompt investigations and the effective prosecution of offenders. Dedicated special courts hear such cases to ensure that sensitive matters involving child victims receive appropriate attention while protecting their rights throughout the judicial process.

Child protection experts have repeatedly stressed that schools, sports academies and other institutions where adults occupy positions of authority must maintain robust safeguarding measures. Effective background screening, accessible reporting mechanisms, clear child protection policies and continuous institutional oversight are widely considered essential to reducing the risk of abuse. As the remaining criminal cases against Manu M continue through the courts, attention remains focused on their outcomes and the broader effort to strengthen the safety of young athletes in training environments.