Rapist sentenced to 10 years RI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 31 2015 : Sessions Court, Imphal West today sentenced a 50-year-old man to 10 years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50,000 for raping a mentally retarded woman about 10 years back.

The convict identified as Soubam Naoba (50) s/o S Shyamo of Uripok Achom Leikai Maning was today produced before the Court from the judicial custody of Sajiwa Central jail.

He was convicted by the Court under Section 376 two days back.

Today's sentence hearing was held under Sessions trial case number 12 of 2012/63/ 13/17 of 2015 .

After perusing the arguments of the counsels of prosecution and defence, Sessions Judge Imphal West M Manjoy kumar sentenced Naoba to 10 years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50,000 under Section 376 (rape) of IPC.

Naoba will undergo additional six months simple imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.

The fine must be deposited to the Court to hand it over to the dependent of the victim as compensation.

The period which Naoba had already spent in the prison during investigation and trial will be set off from the sentence awarded.

The Court also directed the Manipur State Legal Services Authority to do the needful regarding assistance to the victim's dependant under Section 357A of the code of criminal procedure.

The Court also recommended compensation of Rs 2 lakh under Financial Assistance and Support Service to the rape victim.

Naoba works a TT in the Indian Railways.

He raped the mentally retarded woman on August 3, 2005 .

Although, he was caught red handed while he was committing the crime inside her own bedroom, Naoba managed to escape from the house and remained on the run for many months.

Regarding the incident, a complaint was lodged by one of the victim's relatives at Imphal police station the next day.

Following the complaint, Imphal police filed an FIR against Naoba under FIR No 239 (8) 2015 of Imphal police station under Section 376 .

Later in April 2006, Naoba was arrested from Guwahati from a rented house.

However, trail against him began only in 2013.The victim died about eight years after the incident.

10 prosecution witnesses gave their statements before the Court.

Director of Prosecution Ng Tejkumar was the counsel of prosecution while N Ibochouba was the defence counsel.

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