Convict gets 10 years RI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 13 2022:
The Special Judge of Fast Track Special Court number II has one Friday sentenced 38 years old Shamurailatpam Tomba Sharma to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 3 thousand under Section 6 of POCSO Act on the charge of sexually assaulting a minor on January 11, 2019 .
Shamurailatpam Tomba Sharma of Yairipok Top Maibam Leikai was convicted by the same Court on May 11 .
The Court heard Special PP and defence counsel of the convict at length before announcing the quantum of the sentence today.
The defence counsel submitted that the convict has no other antecedent and is the sole bread earner of his family.
The Special PP, on the other hand, submitted that the case needed to be dealt with strictly as crime against women and children is on the rise.
The Special PP further submitted that no adequate and sufficient ground existed in the present case which may warrant exercise of discretion of the Court in favour of the convict.
The Court after hearing both parties and considering all the facts and circumstances of the case observed that the convict is young and his age was 35 at the time of offence as per the charge sheet of the IO .
The Court also observed that the convict is married and looking after two minor sons and his parents.
Hence, the Court directed convict Shamurailatpam Tomba Sharma to undergo 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 6 of POCSO Act and in default of payment of the fine, the convict has to undergo another 3 months of simple imprisonment.
The period of detention of the convict during the investigation and trial is set off from the sentence announced.
The Court also directed the State to provide Rs 2 lakh as compensation to the victim.