Absconder Timothy L Changsang, administrator of a children home in Churachanpur district, who was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment for raping 14 minor girls under POCSO Act applied for bail in the Manipur High Court.
Timothy, administrator of North Eastern Children Home, Rengkai village Churachandpur, was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment in May 2018, under Section 6 and 10 of the POCSO Act and under 506 IPC. The convict also filed condonation petition in the high court, citing several issues.
During the hearing, a preliminary objection was raised by the PP stating that the ‘bonafide’ of the convicted absconder is in doubt as he was already declared a proclaimed offender and therefore, a suggestion was made to T A Choudhury, (counsel for the convict) to appear through video conferencing at the first instance to verify the ‘bonafide’ of the convict.
Timothy’s counsel stated that the appeal and other papers including Vakalatnama were signed by the convict in his presence and he is willing to file a memo along with the documents like Aadhaar/ PAN card, etc. relating to him, proclaimed offender to prove bonafide of the applicant.
After hearing both sides, the court fixed February 8 for the appearance of convict through video conference.
Despite having convicted, Timothy L Changsan had escaped the net and he was at large.
The high court in July 2020 had directed SP Churachandpur to take up steps to issue a red corner notice against the absconding rape convict.
The court appointed A Romenkumar, as amicus curiae and suggested that a special team be monitored and guided by the Intelligence Department be formed to ensure better coordination in arresting the absconding convict.
Timothy was charged with raping 14 minor girls for over two years since 2012 at a children’s home run by the convict.
The incident came to light in February 2015 after a minor girl, an inmate of the home, lodged a complaint with the police.
However, on May 27, 2015, the convict was reportedly granted bail by the POCSO court.
