Overview
- A fast-track special court convicted coach Manu M and on May 30 handed him 16 years in prison and a Rs24,000 fine with an extra 2.5 years of jail if the fine is not paid.
- The case before the court accused Manu of repeatedly abusing girls in the academy gym, coercing explicit photographs and withholding coaching when they refused to comply.
- Cantonment Police registered six separate cases after a survivor reported the coach at a 2024 girls’ tournament and presented 25 documents while the prosecution examined 14 witnesses to secure convictions in four trials.
- Survivors say the abuse happened under the pretext of specialised physical training, which forced some trainees to leave the academy and raised questions about the Kerala Cricket Association’s earlier handling of complaints.
- Legal proceedings continue for the remaining registered cases and the verdict is likely to prompt reviews of safeguarding, coach vetting and complaint procedures in youth sports programs.