RI for rapist
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 20 2022:
A man already convicted for rape has been sentenced to 14 years rigorous imprisonment by the Fast Track Special Court Number 2 under section 6 of POCSO Act for committing aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a minor girl on December 19, 2018 .
Leishangthem Khomei (52) s/o (L) Bidhu of Haraorou Mayai Leikai who was convicted by the same Court on October 18 was produced before the Court from Manipur Central Jail Sajiwa for sentence hearing today.
Special PP Moirangthem Raichand submitted that sexual assault upon minor girls has been rising in the society and in the present case, the victim was a minor when the convict committed the heinous crime.
The Special PP further submitted that the offence was gruesome and was committed by the convict in a calculated manner.
The case deserved to be dealt with strictly to send a message to the society and that it serves as a deterrent, the Special PP said.
On the other hand, the defence counsel of the convict submitted that the convict has no criminal antecedent and hails from poor strata of the society.
He is the sole bread earner of his family which comprises his wife (kidney patient), one son and two daughters who are all dependent on him, the defence counsel submitted.
It was further submitted that convict had been languishing in jail during the period of investigation and trial of the case and cooperating fully with the investigation authority.
The defence counsel prayed the Court to take a lenient view and award minimum sentence to the convict.
The Court, after hearing both the Special PP and the defence counsel, sentenced Leishangthem Khomei to undergo rigorous imprisonment of 14 years and pay a fine of Rs 5,000 failing which he has to undergo another 3 months of rigorous imprisonment.
The Court also ordered the State Government to provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the victim from the victim compensation scheme or any other scheme.
The convict committed sexual assault on the victim along with one co-accused identified as Khangembam Sanjoy alias Athoi alias Pambei of Kumbi Setapur Maning Leikai on September 12 this year when he (convict) was out on bail.
Incidentally, the proscribed RPF had announced on September 21 that Leishangthem Khomei and Khangembam Sanjoy would be awarded capital punishment for their crimes.