Man convicted for personation, POCSO offence
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 11 2025: The Fast Track Special Court, Lamphelpat on Monday convicted 45-year-old Oinam Robinchandra Singh of cheating by personation and a penetrative sexual offence against a girl, finding that he had pretended to be another man to gain the victim's trust before the assault.

Judge W Tonen Meitei of Fast Track Special Court No 2, Manipur at Lamphelpat delivered the judgment in Special Trial (POCSO) Case No 12 of 2016/95/2020 after hearing arguments on July 28 and August 1.The accused was held guilty under section 416 of the Indian Penal Code, punishable under section 419 IPC for cheating by personation, and under section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 for penetrative sexual offence.

The prosecution case, as recited in court, began with a written complaint by the victim's mother alleging that the girl, then a student, had been lured by a caller who identified himself by a false name - Moiranghem Dev alias Sanjit Singh - since January 3, 2016 .

The complainant alleged the accused met the girl twice and, on April 4, 2016 around 10 am, sexually assaulted her at Mahadeva hill near the Sub Centre Hospital in Kakching before leaving her at the spot.

An FIR under section 419 IPC and section 4 POCSO Act was registered and investigation followed.

The accused was arrested on May 28, 2016 and remanded to police custody.

Medico-legal examinations of both the accused and the victim were conducted on May 30, 2016 at JNIMS, Porompat and RIMS, Lamphel respectively and samples forwarded to the Forensic Science Laboratory, Pangei for examination.

The victim's statement under section 164 CrPC was recorded on June 15, 2016, and a birth certificate indicating a date of birth of March 26, 2002 was produced in evidence, the court noting the victim was about 14 years and two months at the time of the incident.

The investigation culminated in a charge sheet on September 7, 2016 .

The case was originally before the Special Judge (POCSO), Thoubal, but transferred to the Fast Track Special Court No 2 in accordance with High Court orders, and re-registered on October 29, 2020 .

Prosecution examined 11 witnesses and exhibited multiple documents and material items during the trial.

The defence counsel argued that the prosecution failed to prove the charges, citing delay in lodging the FIR, uncertainty over the victim's age, alleged gaps in oral testimony, and contested medical evidence.

The accused denied the allegations in his statements and declined to adduce defence evidence.

In its written judgment, the court rejected defence contentions, finding the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had assumed the false identity of Moirangthem Tomba Singh alias Dev alias Sanjit of Thoubal Ningombam, and had committed the offence on April 4, 2016 at Mahadev Ching.

The court ordered the accused be taken into custody forthwith and sent to Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, and fixed the sentence hearing for August 18,2025.The court also commended the investigating officer SI Dr A Satyapati Devi for diligent investigation.

Comment