Rape convict sentenced to 20-years RI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 21 2022:
Samom Ibjen, Special Judge POCSO Senapati today sentenced rape convict Santosh Limbu (22) to undergo rigorous imprisonment (RI) for 20 years under section 6 of POCSO Act.
Santosh Limbu, son of Tej Bahadur of Thonglang Akutpa 17 Miles Kangpokpi was convicted by the same Court on January 18 after he (Santosh), accused of committing a penetrative sexual assualt on a minor girl on July 2, 2020, was produced before the Court from Manipur Central Jail Sajiwa.
The Court had heard both Special PP Koshia Mao and defence counsel of the convict during the sentence hearing against the convict.
During the sentence hearing, the Special PP submitted that the victim minor has suffered severe mental trauma and the victim is unable to recover and has not been in a position to mingle with her other friends.
The Special PP further submitted that the incident has left a big vacuum in the victim's life which will take years to get over and return to normal life.
Moreover, the future life and academic career of the minor girl who belongs to a very poor family in a remote hill village of Senapati district has been spoiled for no mistake on her part and nothing can be done to get her into the mainstream, the PP submitted.
On the other hand, the defence counsel of the convict submitted that the convict is a person having wife and a child and the only bread earner of his family members.
There is no evidence of bad moral character of the convict prior to the incident, the defence counsel continued and prayed the Court to award a minimum sentence under the provision of Section 6 of POCSO Act.
The Court after hearing both the parties, observed that the crime committed by the convict was inhuman, barbaric and merciless.
There is no mitigation factor to deter in lesser punishment, the Court observed and sentenced the convict to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 20 years and imposed a sum of Rs 20 thousand fine.
The fine imposed by the Court is to be paid by the convict within 2 months and be given to the mother of the victim, the Court ordered.
The Special Court also recommended awarding the victim compensation of Rs 7,50,000 under section 33(8) of protection of children from sexual offence and as per NALSA compensation scheme of women/ victim survivor of sexual assault/ other crime to be given through her mother within 60 days and directed Secretary district legal services authority Senapati to take necessary action as per law.