Convicted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 25 2019:
A 45 year old man identiifed as Moirangthem Gambhir of Moirang Khunou, was convicted by Maibam Manojkumar, Session Judge Imphal East today, for raping a woman, and fixed April 30 for the sentence hearing.
The judgment order was announced in an open Court today after it was kept reserved following the final hearing on April 10 .
The convict, who has been out on bail, appeared before the Court along with his defense counsel, A Kumarjit.
The case began against the convict after the father of the victim lodged a complaint to Women PS Imphal East on July 22, 2015, stating that on July 19, his daughter (the victim) was abducted by the convict at around 1.30 pm to force her to become his wife.
Hence a case was registered against M Gambhir and he was arrested soon after by the first IO of the case, ASI M Reshme of Women PS Imphal East.
After the completion of the investigation, charge sheet was submitted before JMIC Imphal East on June 29, 2017, by the main IO, Y Pratima Devi, ASI Women PS Imphal East.
The case was committed by Session Court Imphal East after it was received from the lower Court and charges were framed against the convict on December 7, 2017 .
During the trial, statements of 9 prosecution witnesses were recorded and the accused examination was held on November 22 last year.
During the trial, the convict pleaded that he and the victim had eloped on July 19, 2015, to become husband and wife and denied the charge of rape.
However, he did not produce any witnesses in his defense.
On final hearing of the case, the Court heard the submission of PP M Bishambhor for the State and A Kumarjit, defense counsel of the convict in length.
After carefully going through the case records and the statement of the victim, the Court came to the conclusion that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convict raped the victim.
However, the Court also ruled that the prosecution has failed to prove that the victim girl was abducted and concealed by the convict forcibly.
Hence the Court acquitted M Gambhir from the charge of kidnapping and concealing the victim but convicted him for rape.
Soon after the announcement of the judgment order, the convict was taken into custody by police and remanded to judicial custody at Sajiwa Central Jail.