IMPHAL, September 5: The 65 year old man accused in the rape case of a minor girl from Chingmeirong Poumai colony is going to be tried under section 4 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act, 2012.
This is the sixth case to be tried under POCSO Act, 2012 in the state.
The accused S Ngoupuni alias Ngaopuni, 65, son of late Sheiba of Liyai Khullen at present Poumei Colony Imphal East district, Heingang police station was produced before the Court of A Guneshwar Sharma, district and sessions Judge Manipur East and special judge (POCSO).
Having heard the argument from both sides the court acquitted two sections 376/420 of the IPC and charged him under POCSO.
The Heingang Police station framed a charge sheet against the accused under FIR No.30 (4) 2014 HNG PS u/s 376/420 IPC and section 4 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act, 2012.
However, the counsel of the accused Advocate, S Shyamcharan alias Sanou argued that the section 376/420 were irrelevant in connection with the case.
Earlier argument on which section to be frame against the accused was also held on August 14 and 28 last. However, the decision for the accused to be tried under special trial POCSO was taken today.
It may be recalled that the 13 year old minor girl was allegedly raped by Ngoupuni on April 17, 2014 around 12 noon on voting day of the 16th Lok Sabha Election.
The victim was taken away by Ngoupuni on a Maruti after informing her mother on the pretext of proxy vote of victim’s daughter. However, instead of taking her to the polling station she was taken to a secluded place, at a foothill of Koirengei area and raped her.
On April 19, 2014 both the accused and victim examined by forensic experts and subsequently framed charge sheet by the concerned police.
While the accused is under judicial custody, the statements of both the accused and victims including 23 prosecution witnesses have been recorded so far.