One gets 20 yrs RI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 31 2023: The Fast Track Special Court Number 1 today sentenced one ECG technician of RIMS Casualty Ward to undergo 20 years rigorous imprisonment under section 6 of POCSO Act for committing sexual assault on a minor victim on October 3, 2019 at around 3 am inside the EGC room of RIMS.

The same Court on July 27 had convicted Thokchom Suraj (39) s/o Kullen of Keishamthong Moirang Ningthou Leikai.

Convict Thokchom Suraj was produced before the Court from Manipur Central Jail Sajiwa for sentence hearing today.

The Special PP submitted that the convict was working as technician in the ECG room of RIMS Casualty at the relevant time and taking advantage of his official position, he committed a grievous crime while keeping the mother of the victim outside the ECG room.

The Special PP prayed that exemplary punishment be given to the convict so as to send a message to the society to prevent crimes against children.

Submitting that the convict has no antecedent of criminal records, the defence counsel, on the other hand, prayed for mercy and leniency and to set off the period which the convict had already undergone during the investigation and trial of the case from the prison term.

The victim party's counsel submitted that the victim is still suffering from trauma and undergoing treatment and counselling from time to time.

Pointing out that the father of the victim is a mason by profession and the mother is a weaver, the counsel prayed for payment of adequate compensation to the victim.

The Court, after hearing the submission of the Special PP, the defence counsel and the victim party's counsel, sentenced Thokchom Suraj to undergo rigorous imprisonment of 20 years and also to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 .

In default of payment of the fine, the convict has to undergo another three months of simple imprisonment.

The period which the convict had already undergone during the investigation and trial of the case was also set off from the prison term.

The Court also directed the State Government to provide Rs 1,50,000 to the victim and her family from the Victim Compensation fund or other schemes.

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