The Court also imposed a total fine of Rs.1,08,000 on him. As per the Court’s direction, this fine will be paid to the survivor as compensation.
Kerala: A District and Sessions Court in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, has sentenced an ambulance driver named Noufal V to life imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old woman who had tested positive for COVID-19.
The shocking crime took place in September 2020, while the young woman was being taken to a COVID care centre for treatment.
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The tragic event occurred when the survivor, infected with COVID-19, was being transported in a government ambulance from Adoor to a designated care centre.
The driver, Noufal V, was expected to take her safely to the facility. However, instead of following the assigned route, he took the ambulance to a deserted and isolated location. There, he sexually assaulted the helpless patient, violating her trust and safety during a time of illness and vulnerability.
After committing the heinous act, Noufal apologised to the woman before finally dropping her at the COVID care centre. The brave survivor recorded his apology using her mobile phone. This recording turned out to be an important piece of evidence that later helped in proving the charges against him.
After reaching the centre, the survivor informed the healthcare staff about the incident. The matter was immediately reported to the police. Based on her detailed statement and the video clip, the police arrested Noufal and began legal proceedings against him.
The police charged Noufal under several serious sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. He was convicted under the following IPC sections:
- Section 376 – Punishment for rape
- Section 354 – Assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty
- Section 354B – Assault with intent to disrobe a woman
- Section 323 – Voluntarily causing hurt
In addition, he was also found guilty under the SC/ST Act, especially:
- Section 3(1)(w)(i) – Related to sexual offences against SC/ST women
- Section 3(2)(v) – Enhanced punishment for offences committed against SC/ST individuals by a non-SC/ST person
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District and Sessions Judge N Harikumar delivered the verdict, sentencing Noufal to life imprisonment. The Court also imposed a total fine of Rs.1,08,000 on him. As per the Court’s direction, this fine will be paid to the survivor as compensation.
Case Title: State of Kerala (Police) v Noufal V
