6-yr RI for man convicted in sexual assault case
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 18 2025: One Ningthoujam Dhojo, who had been convicted of sexual assault of a seven years old girl, has been sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment by the Fast Track Special Court No 2 Manipur.

During the sentence hearing of the case on Friday at Fast Track Special Court No 2, special public prosecutor (PP) told the court that crime against children particularly young girls are increasing in the society and strongly called for adequate and stern message to such criminals.

The PP also placed before the court that the offence committed by the convict was very Severe in POCSO Act, prayed for severest punishment and providing Rs 10 lakh compensation to the victim in view of suffering she endured as well as mental and societal trauma during the investigation and trial of the case.

On the other hand, Dhojo's counsel contended that the convict had no criminal record in the past and suggested minimal sentence in view of full cooperation he rendered during investigation and trial of the case.

After hearing statements from both the sides and perusing physical and material evidences, the court sentenced 30 years old Ningthoujam Dhojo to six years rigorous imprisonment and slapped Rs 5,000 penalty.

The court also ordered that the convict shall have to stay in jail for three more months if unable to pay the fine but will commute the time already spent in judicial custody, five months and 21 days beginning from August 19, 2017 .

Further, the court ordered that the victim's family be paid Rs 4 lakh as compensation from state government's victim compensation fund within 30 days under Section 33 (8) of the POCSO Act, 2012 .

For early disbursement of the compensation, the court directed member secretary of the Manipur Legal Services Authority to extend maximum help through secretary of District Legal Services Authority, Thoubal.

As per the report tabled by the prosecution to the court, victim's mother lodged a report at Thoubal women police station in August, 2017 that her seven years old daughter has been sexually assaulted by Ningthoujam Dhojo Singh, son of Ibungo of Samaram Maning Leikai.

Based on the report, the PS registered an FIR and arrested Dhojo.

As part of the investigation of the case, charge sheet was filed at Special Judge POCSO, Thoubal and the charge sheet was approved on October 22, 2018 for conducting trial against Dhojo.

In compliance with a statement issued by the High Court of Manipur on August 19, 2020, the Special Judge POCSO, Thoubal transferred the case to the newly established Fast Track Special Court No 2 Manipur on September 4, 2019 .

The same case was registered at the Special Court No 2, processed trial against the accused and framed charge sheet on October 29, 2022 .

During the trial of the case, a total of 12 witnesses from the side of the prosecution were examined.

After study of statements from both sides as well as evidences, the court had convicted Dhojo in the case under Section 10 of the POCSO Act, 2012 and fixed July 18 for the sentence hearing.

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