Court defers sentence announcement in U-morok seller's rape case
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 19 2013:
The quantum of punishment to be awarded to the four accused in the gang-raped of a woman U-morok seller has been deferred by the Court as the counsel of one of the accused failed to show up.
The four accused namely Laikhuram Rojit (28) s/o Tomba of Porompat JN Hospital Road, IRB Havildar Chungkham Ibomcha (37) s/o Shamu of Thongju Boroi Makhong, Salam Bijen (38) s/o Gourababu of Uripok Sorbon Thingel and IRB Rifleman Kshetrimayum Kenedy (37) s/o Achou of Kongpal Chanam Leikai, who have already been pronounced guilty by the Court of Session Judge, Manipur West were produced before the court for the sentence hearing today.
However, as the counsel of the accused Kshetrimayum Kenedy was not seen in the court room, Judge Salam Ibomcha enquired about it and accused informed that his counsel was sick and is undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital.
|
When the Judge asked the accused whether he would like to have another counsel, as the hearing could not be proceeded in the absence of his counsel, the convict requested the court to give him some time to consult the matter with his family.
Accordingly, the Judge decided to defer the sentence hearing till June 25 .
On hearing the decision of the Court, angry womenfolk in the court room protested.
However, the Judge explained to them that announcing the quantum of punishment in the absence of a counsel is against the law.
The Judge also assured the sentence would be announced on June 25 definitely even if the counsel turns up or not.