Form team to nab rape convict : HC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 17 2020: The High Court of Manipur has directed the SP of Churachandpur police to form a special dedicated team to arrest rape convict Timothy Lalhmunmawi Changsan, who is absconding police since 2018.A division bench of the Court comprising Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice Kh Nobin was hearing a suo moto PIL on October 14 when it gave the direction.

The PIL was registered suo moto by the Court on the basis of a report that the convict was the administrator of North Eastern Children Home in Churachandpur.

He was convicted under the provisions of Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act on April 30, 2018.However, when the conviction order was passed, Timothy L Changsan had already escaped the net and he is now at large.

It may be noted that the High Court in July had directed SP Churachandpur to take up steps to issue a red corner notice against the absconding rape convict.

During the hearing on October 14, the division bench heard N Kumarjit, Advocate General, High Court of Manipur that the Home Department has written to the Bureau of Immigration Headquarters, for extending a lookout circular.

High Court appointed amicus curiae, A Romenkumar suggested that a special team to be monitored and guided by the Intelligence Department be formed to ensure better coordination in arresting the absconding convict.

Taking note of the suggestion, the Court directed SP Churachandpur to form a special dedicated team to get Timothy L Changsan arrested.

The Court also ordered that the dedicated team be guided by IGP Intelligence and the report on the development be filed by SP Churachandpur.

It may be noted that then Special Judge POCSO Imphal West, Maibam Manojkumar had convicted Timothy L Changsan, administrator of North Eastern Children Home under Section 6 and 10 of POCSO Act and under 506 IPC on April 30, 2018.During the sentence hearing at that time, the APP had submitted that the convict had left Imphal for Guwahati on April 28, 2018 by an Air Asia flight.

A CCTV camera footage of the departure lounge of Imphal Airport was also produced in the Court wherein the convict was seen inside the airport complex.

The Special Judge POCSO had then directed the DGP Manipur Police and SP Churachandpur district to issue non-bailable arrest warrant against the convict.

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