Special Judge, Fast Track Court, Manipur on Thursday sentenced a 55-year-old to simple imprisonment for seven years, under section 4 of POCSO Act for committing sexual assault on a minor girl.

The court directed the accused to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 to the victim and to undergo additional detention of three months.

The accused, identified as Huidrom Jilla, 55, son of (L) H Shajao of Hiyanglam Tera Pishak, Thoubal district had allegedly sexually assaulted the minor several times in 2016, who was 17 years old then and reportedly got her pregnant.

After completion of the investigation, the IO of the case submitted the charge sheet against the accused under section 6 of POCSO Act. During the trial, the court examined 13 prosecution witnesses.

During the prosecution, the court observed the DNA report of the baby, given birth by the minor victim. The DNA report clearly indicated that Huidrom Jilla was not the biological father and therefore the allegation made against the accused under section 6 of POCSO Act is false, the court stated.

However, the court stated that there is sufficient evidence to show that the accused Huidrom Jilla committed the offence under section 4 of POCSO Act on the victim. Therefore, the court announced the conviction of section 4 of POCSO Act on December 27, sentencing him to 7 (seven) years' imprisonment.