Man convicted under POCSO Act in 2013 case
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 28 2025: Fast Track Special Court No 1, Manipur has convicted one Md Abdul Rahaman (22), alias Ibomcha, under Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.The verdict was pronounced on Monday, following a hearing on July 17, 2025, in Special Trial (POCSO) Case No 45 of 2020 .

The case pertains to FIR No 32(11) 2016 WPS-BPR, which cross-references FIR No 70(11)2013 MRG PS, initially filed under Sections 342 (wrongful confmement) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 8 of the POCSO Act.

The prosecution, represented by special public prosecutor A Nilachandra, presented a detailed account of the incident.

On November 16, 2013, around 5:10 pm, the complainant lodged a written report with the OC of Moirang police station, stating that on the same day, around 2:30 pm, the victim (name concealed) was returning home after dropping a friend when Md Abdul Rahaman forcibly overpowered her, gagged her, and took her to his paan shop, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and wrongfully confined her.

She was later abandoned at a cemetery at 7:30 pm.

The case was subsequently transferred to the Women Police Station, Bishnupur, on August 8, 2015, as it involved sexual assault against a minor, falling under the purview of POCSO Act.

Abdul Rahaman was arrested on November 16, 2013, at 6:45 pm from the residence of pradhan Rafijuddin in Kwakta Khuman Ward No 4.He reportedly admitted to committing the offence during interrogation.

The victim's statement, recorded under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), corroborated the initial report, detailing how she was forcibly stopped, confined in the paan shop with her hands and mouth tied, and sexually assaulted while the accused consumed alcohol.

She further stated that the accused later promised to marry her, leading her to believe and consenting to subsequent intimacy.

However, she was abandoned at a cemetery that night.

She then sought shelter at a nearby house before being reunited with her family.

Crucial evidence was collected during the investigation.

Apparels worn by both the victim and accused were collected, medical examinations were conducted, and an ossification test determined the victim's age to be between 16 and 18 years.

Her medical report indicated "evidence of recent sexual intercourse and sign of struggle/use of force present".

The accused was medically examined on November 18, 2013, but his medical report stated, "no definite Opinion can be given as to whether the accused person had performed sexual intercourse".

Further, the victim's statement was recorded and seized exhibits sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Pangei, which confirmed sexual assault.

The court noted that the victim's statement strongly corroborated the medical report and the history provided to the medical officer, as well as by witness statements.

The investigation established a strong prima facie case against the accused for forcible and repeated sexual assault of the victim.

Consequently, Section 8 of the POCSO Act, 2012, was added to the charges.

The prosecution successfully proved that the victim was a child (below 18 years of age) at the time of the incident and that the accused committed penetrative sexual assault as defined under Section 3 of the POCSO Act, punishable under Section 4.The defence failed to rebut the presumption against the accused or establish any plausible defence.

The court concluded that the prosecution proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

With the conviction pronounced, the court will now proceed with the sentence hearing for Md Abdul Rahaman, but has not fixed a date.

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