7 yr RI for man convicted in rape case
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 26 2023:
The Fast Track Special Court No 1 Manipur has sentenced Pangabam Johnson, who was convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl on February 2, 2018 under Section 4 of POCSO Act, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment.
According to the report submitted by the prosecution, Pangabam Johnson (26) s/o Dilip of Yairipok Nongbrang Leikai, Thoubal district sexually assaulted a 16-year old girl in his Tata Tipper around 10.30 pm on February 2,2018.While driving back to his home, Johnson again physically and sexually assaulted the girl, before dumping her at Bishnupur Bazar the next day around 5.30 pm .
The victim's mother filed a report in this regard to Women PS Bishnupur, based on which the PS registered an FIR on the same day i.e., February 3.As part of the investigation, police arrested accused Johnson on February 4.During a hearing held on April 18, the court, after listening to the submissions of Special PP and the counsel of the accused, said that the prosecution had successfully proven the charges levelled against the accused including under Section 4 of POCSO Act, 2012, and consequently convicted Pangabam Johnson.
The sentence hearing was then held on April 21, during which the Special PP submitted that the offender committed the most heinous and barbaric crime on the 16-year-old victim, showing his lack of respect and empathy for human life.
Thus, the Special PP made a prayer to the court to award maximum sentence to the convict and set an example for the society.
After listening to the submissions, the court sentenced Johnson to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered him to pay a fine of Rs 5000 .
If the convict fails to pay the fine, he will have to serve one more month in the jail.
The time (six months) he stayed in judicial custody during the trial of the case will be commuted from the total sentence period i.e., he will serve rigorous imprisonment for six years and six months.
Further, the court, after taking into consideration of the physical and financial state of the victim, ordered that Rs 1.5 lakh to be given to the victim under the Victim Compensation Fund of the Manipur Government or other funds, within 30 days.