Rape convict sentenced to 7 years RI
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 08 2023:
Sanoujam Bocha (27) of Yumnam Khunou, who has been found guilty of outraging modesty of a woman on June 5, 2012, was sentenced to 7 years rigorous imprisonment by the additional sessions judge (FTC) Crime Against Women Manipur on Friday.
According to special public prosecutor A Sushila, father of the rape survivor filed a complaint to Lamlai police station on June 8, 2012, stating that his daughter went out of home on that fateful day to buy some clothes.
Around 9 pm, members of Sharmila Kanba Lup Salanthong informed him that his daughter is in their custody after she was found in an unconscious state on a roadside, and went to pick her up.
As per her daughter, she was taken to Taj restaurant by one Heikrujam Prem, a driver of 7th MR, and offered fruit juice after which she felt dizzy, lost consciousness and realised upon recovery that she was raped.
When she regained consciousness, she found lying on a roadside in Salanthong area around 7.30 pm.
Acting on the complaint, police conducted an investigation and narrowed down on real identity of Heikrujam Prem as Sanoujam Bocha son of late Iboton of Yumnam Khunou.
CJM Imphal East took cognizance of the crime on August 1, 2016 under IPC 376/419.Later, sessions judge, Imphal East transferred the case to additional sessions judge (FTC) for Crime against Women Manipur on July 11, 2018.Charges were framed against the accused under IPC 376/419 by the court on April 29, 2019 while the accused pleaded for trial claiming that he was not guilty.
During the trial, prosecution recorded statement of 11 witnesses while the defence counsel did not produce any witness.
Consequently, the court found Bocha guilty of the charges levelled against him in its hearing on November 17 this year.
During the sentence hearing on Friday, the court awarded the convict 7 years of rigorous imprisonment along with Rs 5000 fine under IPC 376 and another amount of Rs 5000 under IPC 41 .