Imphal: The Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) No. 1 has convicted and sentenced a 58 years old man of Imphal West to five years rigorous imprisonment under Section 10 of the POCSO Act, 2012 after six years a case of sexual assault on a minor girl was reported.
The man was also fined a sum of Rs 50,000, with a default penalty of three months’ simple imprisonment, according to the judgement issued on Friday.
The case was lodged at Women Police Station, Imphal West in August 2019. After prolonged trial proceedings, the verdict was pronounced on Friday.
His wife was convicted under Section 21 of the Act for failing to report the offence. She was sentenced to six months imprisonment and fined Rs 20,000, but since she had already served seven months during investigation, her sentence was set off and she was released. A third person arrested in connection with the case was acquitted.
Special Judge R.K. Memcha Devi remarked, “The Accused No.1 committed the offence to a child who looked upon him as a father, for whom he was to protect, care and give proper education… breaking the family and future aspect of the child.”
The judge considered the economic condition of the family and the presence of two minor children dependent on the convict. “Considering all these factors, I am of the opinion that leniency may be given… the Convict No. 1 is sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment of 5 years which is minimum imprisonment,” the order read.
The court also directed the Government of Manipur to pay an additional Rs 1.5 lakh compensation to the victim from the Victim Compensation Fund within a month from the issuance of the court order, apart from the Rs 50,000 interim relief awarded in 2019. The compensation is to be kept in a fixed deposit account for the welfare of the victim.
The convict, who had already served over six months in custody during trial, will have that period deducted from his sentence under Section 428 CrPC and will now serve the remaining term, the order mentioned.
