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Conviction Hindu and Hindu-derived contexts Sozhapuram, Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, India · 2026
India: temple priest sentenced to 178 years for sexually assaulting three children
Record class
Core record
Evidence status
Convicted
Authority role
temple priest
Organization
No organization assigned
Spiritual nexus
The defendant's standing as the temple's priest is what gave him the trusted presence and access to children at the temple precinct that the offences relied on.
- Pastoral or clerical authority
- Other spiritual authority or belief
Evidence structure
Proceedings
2026-03-31 · conviction and sentence
POCSO Court, Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, India. A. Thilagar, a 70-year-old temple priest, was convicted of sexually assaulting three children whom he lured with sweets near the temple, and was sentenced to 178 years' imprisonment.
Documented coercion mechanisms
- standing and access as priest of the temple where the children were present
Primary record
Sources
- national news agency verdict and sentencing report 'POCSO Court in TN awards 178 yr jail term for 70-year-old temple priest', UNI India, 31 Mar. 2026.
Indian news agency reporting the POCSO court conviction and the sentence imposed.
Related record
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