IMPHAL, June 25: The District and Session Court Manipur West today sentenced all four accused convicted earlier by the same court in the U-Morok rape case to life imprisonment. All four were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code by the court.
It may be mentioned that the announcement of the quantum of punishment for the four convicts was deferred from June 19 to today after a counsel of one of the convicts had failed to turn up before the court.
The crime dates back to March 22, when the trader was abducted by the four while she was heading along with her brother-in-law toward Imphal in a Shaktiman truck to sell U-morok (Chilli).
The four who were in a Santro car had halted the victim and her brother-in-law near Keinou Awang Leikai using a small weapon.
All four accused identified as Laikhuram Rojit (25), son of L Tomba of Porompat JNIMS road opposite gate number 3; Salam Bijen (34), son of Gourababu of Uripok Sorbon Thingel; Chungkham Ibomcha alias Eigya (37), son of Shamu of Thongju Boroi Makhong and Ksh Kennedy (37), son of Achou of Kongpal Chanam Leikai were arrested by the Bishnupur Police on March 23, 2012.
Of the four, Chungkham Ibomcha alias Eigya and Ksh Kennedy are IRB personnel.
Special Public Prosecutor Ng Tejkumar who briefed media persons after the court had announced the sentences said that judge of the district and session court, Salam Imocha, awarded a tough verdict of life impression for all the four convicts in the gang rape case bringing an end to the seven month long gang rape case.
He said convict L Rojit has been sentenced to life for the gang rape under section 376(2) (G) alongwith three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1000 or on default of fine of Rs 1000, another three months of imprisonment in excess to the substantive sentence of imprisonment for committing assault under Section 324; 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5000 or on default of the fine, another six months imprisonment in excess to the substantive sentence of imprisonment for kidnapping and abduction under section 367; 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5000 or on default of the fine another six months imprisonment in excess to the substantive sentence of imprisonment for robbery under section 392 and three year imprisonment under 25 Arms Act.
The other three convicts Ch Ibomcha Singh, S Bijen and Ksh Kennedy have been sentenced under the same sections except for 25 Arms act and for committing assault with weapon under Section 324.
The judge had also recommended the member secretary of the Manipur State Legal Service for payment of compensation as per the rule for rehabilitation to the rape victim, he said.
The trial and the hearing on the U-Morok gang rape case had started in the District and Session court since September last year after a charge-sheet was filed by the concern police under the trial case number 8 of 2012 under FIR number 32(03)2012 by the Bishnupur Police under sections 324/367/376/392/34 of the Indian Penal Code.
During the seven month long trial, statements of 25 witnesses were recorded by the court followed by the arguments by the public prosecution and the counsel of the accused. The Public Prosecutor submitted the final report to the judge on May 28.
After assaulting the victim’s brother-in-law, the four had also snatched two Nokia handsets and looted Rs. 6500, also taking away 40 kgs of U-Morok chilli worth about Rs 32,000.
Meanwhile, the Women Action for Development (WAD) has in a statement lauded the courage of the U Morok trader who went on with her legal case. It also expressed its appreciation to her family and community in the successfully completion of her case against the four rapists.
“We appreciate your courage in fighting for your right ”, the WAD statement said before continuing “You have become a rare example among all the survivors of different forms of violence against women who stand against all odds of such heinous crimes”.
“We also congratulate the Kabui Mothers Association, Rongmei Louphum, Meira paibi and others individuals and association for their tireless hard work standing for her, giving her support in terms of moral, physical and financial and guiding her in struggle for her rights and justice”, it said.
“We further appreciate the judiciary and the police department for their timely intervention and carrying out proper investigation for providing justice in the case and giving life time imprisonment as punishment to the accused for their deeds” the WAD statement went on to add.