Woman pleads guilty
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 07 2026: A 40-year-old woman, Rahena, has pleaded guilty to charges under Section 21 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for failing to report the commission of an offence that occurred on July 15, 2022, at Lilong Leihaokhong under Thoubal district.

The Court sentenced her to pay a fine of Rs 4,000, with one month of simple imprisonment in default of payment.

The Fast Track Special Court no 1, Manipur, today passed the charge order in connection with the case against Rahena (40), wife of Md Feroj of Nahapik Leihaokhong, and another woman, who was discharged from the case.

The case originated from a complaint lodged by the father of a minor girl, stating that his daughter was kidnapped by a child in conflict with law (CCL) on July 15, 2022, with the intention of making her his wife, and was kept concealed at the residence of the convict.

The minor girl was rescued the following day.

Upon being questioned, she disclosed that she was sexually assaulted by the CCL .

Following completion of the investigation, the Investigating Officer (IO) submitted a charge sheet against the two women before the Special Court (POCSO), Thoubal, for trial.

On July 4 last year, the same Court issued warrants of arrest against them.

The case was subsequently transferred to the present Court.

On August 5, 2026, the Court issued warrants of arrest against the accused, following which they appeared before it.

The Court subsequently conducted a hearing on the charges levelled against them by the IO in the charge sheet.

After completion of the charge hearing, the Court fixed today for passing the charge order.

During the proceedings, Rahena pleaded guilty to the charges against her.

On the other hand, the Court found that there was no material to frame charges against the second accused and accordingly discharged her from the case.

Following Rahena's plea of guilt, the Court conducted the sentence hearing today.

During the hearing, the convict submitted that she was 40 years old, divorced and living with her children.

She stated that she maintained her household by working as a labourer and was barely managing to make ends meet.

She further submitted that she had never committed any offence, led a simple life and was unaware that she was required to inform the police about the occurrence.

After hearing the submissions of the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for the State, the convict and her defence counsel, the Court sentenced Rahena to pay a fine of Rs 4,000, failing which she will have to undergo one month of simple imprisonment.

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