Rape convict sentenced to lifer
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 09 2022: Fast Track Special Court No 2 Manipur on Friday sentenced Thiyam Sureshkumar alias Sabi s/o Ingocha of Wabagai Lamboithong Heiruthong Thiyam Leikai, who has been convicted of raping a minor girl, to life imprisonment.

Sureshkumar was convicted on charges of aggravated penetrative sexual assault under Section 6 of POCSO Act, 2012 and Section 302 of IPC, on July 5.During the sentence hearing on Friday, Sureshkumar was produced before the Court by Sajiwa Jail authority.

The defence counsel submitted to the Court that Sureshkumar had never been accused in any crime before.

At the time the crime was committed, he was only 21 years old and he had spent 7 years in jail during the course of the investigation and trial.

The counsel then appealed to the Court to be merciful in the sentencing.

The Special PP, however, argued that the convict was closely related to the victim but he killed the victim mercilessly.

Thus, the Special PP made a prayer to the Court for awarding maximum punishment to the convict.

After thoroughly examining of the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions of both sides, the Court decreed that Sureshkumar will be awarded the minimum punishment under Section 6 of 2012 and Section 302 of IPC and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 5000.If the convict fails to pay the fine, he will stay in jail for a period of 3 more months.

The Court also sentenced Sureshkumar to life imprisonment under Section 302 of IPC and ordered him to pay a fine of Rs 5000.If Sureshkumar fails to pay the fine, he has to serve jail time of 6 more months.

Both sentences are to be served simultaneously.

Noting the mental trauma and the difficulties faced by the victim s family during the course of the trial, the Court instructed awarding a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the victim's family as per the provisions of Section 33(8) of POCSO Act.

The compensation should be given from the Victim Compensation Fund or schemes under Section 357-A of CrPC.

The victim's family is to consult with Manipur State Legal Services Authority through District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Thoubal for the compensation.

The Court further directed DLSA Thoubal to assist the victim s family in this regard.

Comment