The Additional Session Judge, Fast Track Court of Crime Against Women on Friday sentence a convicted man for sexual assault into seven years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5000 and for the offence u/s 419 IPC.
The court announced the conviction of Sounoujam Bocha, 40, son of (L) S Iboton of Yumnam Khunou under section 376 and 419 IPC. Bocha was 27 when he committed the crime, according to the court’s statement.
As per the court order, the unfortunate incident took place on June 5, 2012 under Lamlai Police Station when the victim went to Imphal for shopping and did not return home till 5 pm without getting any information from her side.
Her father along with his family members searched the whereabouts of his daughter but in vain. About 9 pm, her father received information over a phone call that his daughter was in the custody of Sharmila Kanba Lup at Shalanthong.
Immediately, he along with his family members rushed to Shalanthong. On reaching, the Lup members told him that his daughter was found alone and disoriented at Shalanthong, and they rescued her.
The victim narrated that while she met Heikrujam Prem of Uripok who was said to be a driver of the 7th MR at Lamboikhul. They went to Mantripukhri and entered a restaurant. At the restaurant, H Prem had intercourse with her without her consent and offered some juice.
Afterwards, she became disoriented and when she regained her senses about 7.30 pm, she found herself at Shalanthong.
Thereafter, cognisance of the case was taken/registered under section 376/419 IPC by the Chief Judicial Magistrate/Imphal East in 2016. Then, the case was transferred to the Sessions Judge, Imphal East in 2017. Thereafter, the Sessions Judge, Imphal East transferred the case to the Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court) for Crimes Against Women, Manipur in 2018.
On April 29, 2019, the court framed the charges against the accused under section 376/419 IPC and he pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.
During the trial of the case, the prosecution produced 11 prosecution witnesses while the defence did not produce any defence witnesses despite opportunity granted.
The court examined the evidence produced by the prosecution and convicted him November 17, 2023 u/s 376/419 IPC.
