Principal convicted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 29 2019: Special Judge POCSO Imphal East, Maibam Manojkumar today convicted a school Principal under POCSO Act while acquitting the warden of the school run hostel in connection with the sexual assault of a minor victim at the school hostel in October 2016.The convicted Principal Thokchom Dharma alias Paul (46) s/o Gouro of Andro Kharam Leikai and the warden Ngangbam Ibomcha (35) s/o (L) Shyamjai of Thoubal Leishangthem had appeared before the Court for the judgment order today after it was kept reserved following the final hearing of the case on April 16 .

The case began against two individuals from October 2016 after a complaint was lodged by the father of the victim before the OC of Imphal East women PS stating that his minor daughter had been sexually assaulted by the Principal at the school hostel.

During the course of investigation, the school Principal and the hostel warden were arrested and the IO of the case, then ASI Thongbram Usharani, OC Imphal East women PS, after completion of the investigation, submitted charge sheet against them on July 15, 2017 for the trial under POCSO Act.

The Court farmed charges under section 10 of POCSO Act against Thokchom Dharma and under section 21(2) of POCSO Act against Ngangbam Ibomcha.

13 prosecution witnesses were produced before the Court during the trial while two defense witnesses were produced from the side of defense.

During the argument hearing, Special PP, M Bishambor submitted that out of 13 prosecution witnesses, three are students staying in the hostel along with the victim.

The Special PP further contended that the victim has clearly disposed that while she was in the boarding, the Principal had molested her on 2/3 occasions and after narrating the incident to her roommates, they informed the matter to warden of the boarding but he did not take any action nor tried to report the matter to authority concerned.

The Court, after hearing the counsels of both parties, came to the conclusion that the Principal Th Dharma alias Paul had committed aggravated sexual assault on the victim.

As such, the Court convicted the Principal under section 10 of POCSO Act.

On the other hand, the Court ruled that the prosecution has failed to prove that the warden failed to report the matter to the concerned authority in spite of knowing about the sexual assault committed by the Principal and as such Ngangbam Ibomcha was acquitted from the charges under section 21 (2) of POCSO Act and his bail bond were cancelled.

The Court then fixed June 1 for the sentence hearing.

Soon after the announcement of the judgment order, Th Dharma was taken into custody at Sajiwa Central Jail.

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