A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was set up to ascertain the whereabouts of absconder Timothy L Changsang who was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old minor girl under POCSO Act in May 2018.
A division bench comprising chief justice Sanjay Kumar and justice Lanusungkum Jamir had directed the special investigation team, state chief secretary, and the director general of police, Manipur to ascertain the whereabouts of the convict and to take him into custody on April 19.
While directing to constitute the special investigation team, the HC instructed for including at least one person belonging to the same community of the convict, i.e. ’Hmar’ community, as a member of the SIT. The SIT shall be authorised to secure the assistance of other organisations such as the Army, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and the Intelligence Bureau for carrying out the operation to apprehend the convict.
Timothy, who is also the 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 had also filed a condonation petition in the high court, citing several issues.
It may also be noted that the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the convict has been already dismissed by the Supreme Court on January 7, 2022. In effect, the conviction and sentence stand confirmed as on date.
As the proceedings were carried out before the HC, the absconder had applied for bail through his counsel. The High Court had fixed February 8, 2022 for the appearance of the convict through video conference, but he did not appear.
Despite having been convicted, Timothy L Changsan had escaped the net and remained at large.
The high court in July 2020 had also 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, monitored and guided by the Intelligence department be formed to ensure better coordination in arresting the absconding convict.
Amicus curiae also suggested for a SIT be set up by the authorities in the state for taking effective measures to see that the convict is brought to book and made to undergo the sentence imposed upon him in accordance with law.
“It is distressing to note that one individual is able to evade the reach of the law successfully though he has been convicted of heinous offences,” the HC stated.
Timothy was charged with raping a 14-year-old minor girl 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.
