8 years RI for rapist
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 30 2019:
Maibam Manojkumar, Session Judge Imphal East, today sentenced 45 year old rape convict Moirangthem Gambhi, to 8 years of rigorous imprisonment apart from imposing a fine of Rs 25,000.The Court also recommended Rs 5 lakh to be paid as compensation to the victim through her guardian by the authority concerned.
Moirangthem Gambhi s/o (L) Lilo of Moirang Khunou, was convicted by the Court on April 25 before fixing today for the sentence hearing to announce the quantum of punishment.
Gambhi was produced before the Court from Sajiwa Central Jail for the sentence hearing and the Court heard the submission of Public Prosecutor A Nilachandra for the State and A Kumarjit, defense counsel.
The PP submitted that Moirangthem Gambhi was convicted under 376 IPC for committing rape which is a very serious offence and prayed for awarding life imprisonment.
On the other hand, the defense counsel submitted that the convict has a wife, a son and a daughter and the said children are currently all in class X.The defense counsel further submitted that the convict is the sole bread earner of his family and if he is sentenced for life, all the family members will suffer irreparable damage and as such, the defense counsel prayed for awarding minimum sentence.
The Court heard the submissions and went through the case records and subsequently sentenced Moirangthem Gambhi to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 8 years.
The Court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 and announced that in default of payment, he has to undergo another 6 months of simple imprisonment.
The Court also ruled that the period which the convict has already completed in judicial custody during the period of investigation as well during the trial, will be set off from the sentence announced.
On the other hand, the Court recommended a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to be paid to the victim through her guardian.
It may be mentioned that the case began against the convict after the father of the victim lodged a complaint that on July 19, 2015 her daughter (victim) was abducted by the convict at around 1.30 pm to make her his wife.