Rape convict awarded 35-yr RI, another 10 years
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 29 2022: Special Judge (POCSO), Churachandpur on Thursday sentenced 36-year-old Suan Jacob, who was convicted in the rape case of his 13-year-old daughter in November, 2020, to 35 years rigorous life imprisonment.

During the sentence hearing on Thursday, Jacob was produced before the court during which Special PP submitted that Jacob had committed the barbarous act on his own daughter.

If the convict is to be released from jail ahead of time, it would be the greatest threat to the society.

As such, the Special PP made a prayer for the convict to be awarded the strictest punishment under Section 6 of POCSO Act.

Meanwhile, the defence counsel contended that as Jacob is a first-time offender the Court should be lenient on humanitarian ground.

After listening to both the submissions, the Court said that POCSO Act is a law to prevent crimes against children and uphold their freedom and dignity.

In human history, crimes against women and children have always been frowned upon and considered the most heinous act.

As such, the court sentenced Jacob to 35 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 6 of POCSO Act and also ordered him to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 .

If the convict failed to pay the fine, he will continue to stay in jail for 2 more years.

The time the convict had stayed in jail during the trial period from December 5, 2020 to December 29, 2022 will be commuted from the total sentence period.

The court further observed that as the victim happened to be only 13 years old and has no financial support, and she requires proper rehabilitation.

As such, the court awarded Rs 10 lakh from the state fund as compensation to the victim, while directing the District Legal Services Authority, Churachandpur to extend all necessary help in this regard.

In another verdict, the Special Fast Track Court No 2 has sentenced a 38-year-old convict to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and directed to pay Rs 5000 as fine under section 6 of POCSO Act for committing aggravated penetrative sexual assault on an eight-year-old minor girl.

The convict Arambam Robindro, son of late Ibochou of Bishnupur Maning Leikai, Ward number 3, was found guilty of raping the minor girl on October 26, 2014.The case was taken up following a complaint lodged by the mother of the victim girl.

In her complaint, the mother alleged that the convict raped her daughter, who was only eight years old then, in the bedroom of a school quarter.

While pronouncing the sentence, the court said that the period of detention during investigation and trial will be commuted from the total sentence period.

The convict was in detention in police custody as well as in judicial custody from September 29, 2014 till December 29, 2022 .

The court also directed the state government to provide compensation of Rs 8 lakh to the victim from the victim compensation fund of the government.

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