Kohima, Aug. 23 (EMN): The district court of Kohima has sentenced a 53-year old man to 16 years jail term for raping a minor girl.
The convict, identified as one Khwushopra, was sentenced by a special judge of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, Khesheli Chishi, on August 16 under different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Pocso Act of 2012.
According to special public prosecutor (PP) Kathu Rengma, Khwushopra was accused of raping a 12-year old girl at Choto Bosti area in Kohima. The incident was said to have happened in the later part of 2015 but the family of the victim came to know of it only in 2016. The victim’s mother reportedly lodged a complaint at the North Police Station in the town in June 2016.
On the basis of the complaint, the accused was arrested and the police registered a case. The PP informed that investigation was taken up by UBSI Levinuo Nyuwi, who later submitted a charge sheet after establishing a prima facie case. The court is stated to have examined 10 witnesses in the trial and subsequently found the accused guilty of the offence as was alleged.
Accordingly, the rapist was convicted under section 376 of the IPC for which he was awarded 10 years imprisonment; section 6 of the Pocso Act, for which he was given 14 years; and two more years for offence under section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. However, it was learned that the first two sentences would run concurrently, therefore, the convict will be serving a total of 16 years in jail.
As per the court’s order, a compensation of INR one lac has been paid to the victim through the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority.
