7 Yrs RI for rapist
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 07 2018: Maibam Manoj Kumar, Special Judge, POCSO Imphal West sentenced a 28 year old rape convict, Langpoklakpam Kiranjit to seven years rigorous imprisonment under section 10 of Prevention of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act 2012, for raping a minor girl.

The order was announced in an open Court after the sentence hearing was held today against the convict Langpoklakpam Kiranjit alias Ipee (28) s/o Kumar of Kadangband Part I.He was convicted by the same Court on June 27 for committing aggravated sexual assault against a 6 year old minor girl on October 2, 2014.During the hearing, the Court heard the submission of A Nilachandra, Special PP for the State of Manipur and Advocate N Abhi, defense counsel of the convict.

The Special PP submitted that Langpoklakpam Kiranjit was convicted under section 10 of POCSO Act for committing aggravated sexual assault on a minor girl and prayed for awarding maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment along with fine.

On the other hand, the defense counsel contended that Kiranjit was a mere labourer prior to the incident and the convict is the eldest son of their family.

It was submitted that the convict looks after his brother and sister since their father is an aged person.

The defense counsel also contended that there is no criminal record prior to the incident and the convict has been in judicial custody for 3 years and 9 months.

There are no complaints of any misbehaviour by the convict inside jail and it shows that the convict has already been reformed and prayed for awarding minimum sentence and minimum fine, the defense counsel submitted.

The Court went through all the materials on record, heard the submission ofthe Special PP and the defense counsel, and finally reached the conclusion that the act of aggravated sexual assault committed by the convict against the victim (who is only six years old and also happens to be his relative) is a very serious offence and found it reasonable to sentence the convict.

Thus the Court sentenced Langpoklakpam Kiranjit to rigorous imprisonment for a period of seven years and slapped a fine of Rs 20,000, under section 10 of POCSO Act.

The Court also ordered that in default of the payment of fine, the convict has to undergo 4 months simple imprisonment.

It may be mentioned that rape incident occurred on October 2, 2014, when the convict (taking the advantage of the absence of people) committed raped the minor victim.

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