Rape of Umorok trader:: 'All 4 rape accused guilty'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 12 2013: In a remarkably fast trial ever witnessed in the judicial annals of Manipur, the District and Sessions Judge, Manipur West has concluded the hearing of rape case of U-morok trader in just about eight months by pronouncing all four accused in the case guilty.

After the final hearing of the case, all four accused namely Laikhuram Rojit (28) of Porompat JN Hospital Road, Havildar of 1st IRB Chungkham Ibomcha alias Aigya (37) of Thongju Boroimakhong, Rifleman of 1st IRB Kshetrimayum Kenedy alias Dungi (37) of Kongpal Chanam Leikai and Salam Bijen (38) of Uripok were pronounced guilty by the Judge under sections 328, 392 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 3(1) (11) (12) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

However, the quantum of punishment would be announced by the Court in another sentence hearing on June 19 .

Rape of Umorok trader:: 'All 4 rape accused guilty'

Among the four pronounced guilty, Laikhuram Rojit is the main accused in the case.

He had filed bail application on ground of his ill health several times before, but it was not granted by the Court.

Public Prosecutor Ngangom Tajkumar told Hueiyen Lanpao that about 20 witnesses have given their statements during the hearing of the case which lasted for about eight months.

More than 90 persons were sorted out as witnesses according to the charge-sheet filed by the police.

The trial was somewhat delayed while trying to collect the statements of about 25 witnesses in the case, he noted.

He further contended that it is the first ever case in the State in which a trial has been completed in about a year.

There are now directives for cases related to sexual harassment to be completed within three months.

Speedy trials would deliver justice to the victims timely and also punish the culprits in full knowledge of the public, Tejkumar stated.

He said that the quantum of punishment for rapists would not be toned down after the enactment of the ordinance for prevention of sexual harassment against women and children.

The Prosecution would press for strictest punishment against the rapists of U-morok trader, Tejkumar added.

Zangthaliu, 42, a housewife from Khupan Lungli village of Tamenglong district, was allegedly gang-raped by four accused in the intervening night of March 21 and 22 last year near Kakyai Primary School in Irom Meijrao.