Charges framed in Phaknung rape case
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 21 2018:
Special Judge, POCSO Imphal East, framed charges against two accused of Phaknung gang rape case under various sections yesterday.
The charge order passed by the Court stated that the two accused, Thongam Sadananda (23) s/o (L) Th Shamu of Moirangkampu and Loushambam Suraj alias Dingku (19) s/o L Lokendro of Khurai Angom Leikai, kidnapped two minor victims on April 14 last year between 10.30 pm and 11 pm, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 363 of the Indian Penal Code.
The two accused, along with five other juveniles, participated in an illegal act against four boys and girls at the foothills of Angom Laiching and they kidnapped the two boys and two minor girls before gang raping the two minor girls.
The accused Th Sadananda and L Suraj, along with four juveniles, committed gang rape on the two minor girls punishable under section 376-D of the IPC and the two accused fled and washed their dresses with the intention to screen themselves from legal punishment, thus committing an offence under section 201 .
The charge order further mentioned that Th Sadananda, and L Suraj, along the four juveniles, committed gang raped the two minor victims and also forced themselves on women belonging to a Scheduled Tribe thus committing the offence punishable under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1898.Thereafter, the Court fixed March 8 for the submission of the first prosecution witness of the special trial POCSO case.