Rape convict sentenced to seven years RI
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 17 2022:
Fast Track Court No 1 Manipur Special Judge S Imocha Singh has sentenced one Potshangbam Johnson (22), son of P Birendra alias Birendro of Keishamthong Hodam Leirak to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor girl.
The Court also ordered the government to provide compensation of Rs 1,50,000 to the survivor from the Victim Compensation Fund or from any other scheme within 30 days of issuing of the order.
During the sentence hearing held on Thursday, the special public prosecutor appealed to the Court to pronounce maximum sentence to Johnson as it had already convicted him under Section 4 of POCSO Act 2012, so as to set an example to prevent escalating crimes against minors in the society.
On the other hand, the defence counsel pleaded to the Court for minimum sentence as the convict is young and the sole bread winner of his family consisting of his wife and two children.
The counsel prayed for leniency as the sentence will also affect his family.
After hearing both the counsels, the Court sentenced P Johnson to seven years RI under Section 4 of POCSO Act 2012 .
However, the period of one year and four months he already spent in the jail during the trial of the case would be commuted from the total sentence period.
Accordingly, as per the Court's order, the accused will now have to undergo five years and eight months rigorous imprisonment and will have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000, which if not paid will lead to extension of his imprisonment by three months.