IMPHAL, June 19: The quantum of punishment for the four convicts in the U-Morok traders gang rape case which was supposed to be announced today has been rescheduled on June 25 after a counsel of a convict failed to turn up at the District and Sessions Court Manipur West today.
Speaking to the media persons outside the court complex, Special Public Prosecutor Ng Tejkumar said that the quantum of punishment was not announced today as the counsel of Ksh Kennedy failed to turn up at the court for the sentence hearing of the gang rape case.
The judge has announced June 25 as the day to announce the quantum of punishment to the four convicts, he said.
He maintained that from his side he has prayed to the Judge to award maximum punishment to all the four convicts under the section of Indian Penal Code.
It may be mentioned here that the four were pronounced guilty by the District and Sessions Court, Manipur West on June 12 in the gang rape case of the U-Morok trader.
The main accused Lukhram Rojit (25), son of L Tomba of Porompat JNIMS Road has been convicted under 367, 376, 392 Indian Panel Code and 25 Arms Act and the three other accused Havaldar (1st IRB) Chungkham Ibomcha alias Eigya (37), son of Shamu of Thongju Boroi Makhong; Rifleman (1st IRB) Ksh Kennedy (37), son of Achou of Kongpal Chanam Leikai and Salam Bijen (34), son of Gourababu of Uripok Sorbon Thingel have been convicted under 367, 376, 392 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 34 of Common Intention.
It may be also mentioned that the 42 year old woman from Khupan Lungli village in Tamenglong district was gang-raped by the four persons on the intervening night of March 21 and 22 near Kakyai Primary School in Irom Meijrao.