In the Court of the Special Judge (POCSO), Ukhrul a 67 years old man was convicted u/s 6 POCSO Act for committing penetrative sexual assault against a minor girl and was sentenced to seven-year rigorous imprisonment
TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
The Court of the Special Judge (POCSO), Ukhrul on Thursday convicted a 67 years old man u/s 6 POCSO Act for committing penetrative sexual assault against a minor girl.
Special Judge (POCSO), Ukhrul, order on sentence reads “…accused person is convicted u/s 6 POCSO Act for committing penetrative sexual assault against the minor victim girl Chui (name changed) which he pleaded guilty of the offence.”
“I have heard the Ld. Spl. PP for the state and Advocate for the convict and also heard the convict in person. The convict prays the Court that he seeks for repentance and salvation and is guilty in his heart and soul and prayed to confer him an opportunity of attaining the solemn event of death not in the prison but in his home, with his family and thus prayed for leniency in awarding the sentence to him. The complainant has not objected in reducing the sentence of the convict as they belong to same community and follow the same religious belief, being Christianity, and the convict has no previous criminal antecedents, who is now ready to devote his life to the service of mankind and God.”
“Hence, the convict is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment (RI) for 7 years along with a fine of Rs.10000/- only for the offences punishable u/S 6 POCSO Act 2012, in default of which the convict shall undergo another imprisonment of 6 months, in addition to the sentence awarded. The amount of fine is to be paid within 2 months from the date of passing the order. The said fine of Rs. 10000/- only shall be deposited to the Court and given to the victim through her father. The period which has already been undergone by the convicts in the judicial custody during the period of investigation as well as during the trial, if any, shall be set off from the sentence awarded. The convict has already undergone 233 days of Judicial Custody before he was released on Bail on 13 April 2022. Furthermore, this Court has recommended for awarding compensation u/s 357 A(2) Cr.p.C. and by invoking Sec 33(8) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence, 2012 and as per “NALSA’s Compensation Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/other Crimes, 2018″ a sum of Rs. 7, 50,000 only (Rs. 5 lakh for aggravated penetrative sexual assault (rape) and since the victim is a minor below sixteen years of age, the benefit of 50% enhancement is given as per proviso to Sl.9 (3) of NALSA scheme, 2018) is to be given to the victim through her father. The Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Ukhrul is directed to take necessary action as per law. Further direction is given to the Superintendent, Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa to provide routine medical assistance to the convict as and when needed” stated the Court order.
It is worth mentioning that, on August 14, 2021, Ukhrul Police arrested a 67 years old man for allegedly raping and impregnating a 16 year old minor in Ukhrul District. The minor’s father had lodged a complaint report at Ukhrul Women Police Station on August 14, 2021. Accordingly, FIR No. 3(8)2021 Women PS/ Ukhrul was registered against the accused. Acting swiftly, Ukhrul Police had arrested the 67 years old accused who had gone into hiding. Ukhrul Police informed that the accused had raped the minor multiple times since December, 2020.The minor did not report to their parents because the accused had threatened her. The minor child was pregnant and in advance stage nearing delivery. The victim was admitted to one of the hospitals in Imphal on August 26, 2021 and delivered the baby on August 27, 2021.
The accused was released on bail on 13 April 2022. In this connection, the Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), the apex body of Tangkhul women organisation had strongly co–ndemned the bail granted to the accused in the POCSO case No. 09/POCSO/CWC-Ukl/2021. Ukhrul Police informed that this is the second POCSO case conviction in Ukhrul in the last two years.