RI for convict under POCSO Act
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2019: A 30 year old man who has been convicted of sexually molesting minor girls has been sentenced to five years each in nine different cases.

The convict is identified as Waikhom Abungton of Kiyamgei Mayai Leikai and he was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment of 5 years each in nine different cases under Section 10 of the POCSO Act.

The sentence was served by Session Judge of Imphal East, Maibam Manojkumar today.

The accused was convicted on September 24.The Court also recommended Rs 50 thousand each to the minor victims under the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, under Section 33 (8) of POCSO Act as well as under Section 357 CrPC.

As the convict has been lodged in judicial custody since mid-2016, he is set to be in jail for more than two years each in the nine different cases, after setting off the time already spent in judicial custody.

He will spend a little over 18 years in jail.

The convict was produced before the Court from Sajiwa central jail for the sentence hearing today and the Court heard the submission of Special PP M Bisambhor and defence counsels Y Johnson and Th Ronel.

The Special PP submitted that the W Abungton has been convicted for aggravated sexual assault on minor victims and convicted in 9 different cases.

The crime is a serious offence and prayed a maximum sentence of 7 years each along with a fine each.

The defence counsels on the other hand submitted that the convict is a young, energetic person and maintains his family consisting of aged parents by giving tuition to students and there is no evidence of bad moral character earlier and prayed for minimum sentence and to let the sentence in the 9 cases run concurrently by considering his family.

After hearing both sides, the Court sentenced the convict to 5 years RI in each of the nine cases.

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