Retired Navy Officer and Relative Sentenced in POCSO Case in Hyderabad
A retired merchant navy officer, 76-year-old Clawrence Fransis, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case. The court ruled that he will remain in prison “for the remainder part of life” and imposed a fine of ₹10,000. The case was registered at the Sultan Bazaar police station.
Another person involved in the case, 31-year-old Ponnala Anjaneyulu, was sentenced to 20 years in jail and ordered to pay a fine of ₹10,000. Both men were found guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.
According to the police, Clawrence Fransis lived next to the victim’s house. In April 2021, he sexually assaulted the girl at his residence, which later resulted in her pregnancy. Meanwhile, Anjaneyulu, a relative of the girl who frequently visited her home, also threatened and sexually assaulted her.
The assaults came to light after the victim began experiencing health issues. Her mother took her to a doctor, who informed them about the pregnancy. Upon learning the truth from her daughter, the mother approached the police.
The police registered a case against both men and arrested them. Following a trial, the court delivered its judgment, and both offenders were sent to Chanchalguda Central Prison.
