Kozhikode (Kerala), May 2 (IANS) A court here has sentenced a 39-year-old government primary teacher to imprisonment for 30 years for sexually abusing girl students at a school in Pulliavu.

Despite being sentenced to a total of 30 years in jail under various cases, A.K. Haridasan, now under suspension, will spend 16 years behind bars as the punishment for his different offences will run concurrently.

Apart from the jail term, Nadapuram First Class Magistrate K.P. Anil Kumar Friday slapped a fine of Rs.20,000 on the Pulliavu Government Lower Primary School teacher. The fine money will be distributed among the victims.

Speaking to IANS, T.P.Jacob, sub-inspector of the Valayam Police station said the case against Haridasan was registered in March 2007.

"Following complaints from a few parents that their wards were abused by the teacher, six cases were registered," said Jacob.

After the registration of cases, the teacher surrendered before police.