IMPHAL, Jun 8 : A man who was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor girl has been sentenced to five years simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 30,000 by Special Judge, POCSO Imphal East today.
The convict has been identified as Nongthongbam Barun Singh @ Baru (35) s/o Achoubi of Urup Litan Makhong. He was convicted under Section 10 of POCSO Act, 2012 by the Special Judge on June 1 last.
Barun was produced before the Court today for sentence hearing of the case with reference to FIR number 24 (12) 2014 Women police station Imphal East registered under Section 376 (f) (n) of IPC and Section 4 of POCSO Act, 2012.
Public Prosecutor of the State submitted before the Court that the man was convicted for committing aggravated sexual assault against a minor girl and prayed for punishing the man to the maximum degree as the man knew that the offence committed by him is against the law.
On the other hand, defence counsel pointed out that no allegation except the present one against the convict has been made so far and pleaded the Court to punish the man to a lesser degree.
He submitted that the convict is not a habitual offender who does not have record of any criminal offences.
He maintained that the man has been in judicial custody since December 15, 2014 and prayed for setting aside the period from the sentence.
Upon hearing the submissions from both the sides, the Court concluded that the case has been pending since 2014 and it is also evident that the convict used to earn by giving tuition to school going children. In the light of the facts and circumstances of the case, the Court sentenced the convict to five years simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30,000 to be paid within 20 days .
In default of payment of the fine, the convict has to undergo three months simple imprisonment under Section 10 of POCSO Act, the Court ruled.
It ordered that the 907 days which the convict was in judicial custody since December 15, 2014 will be set off from the period for sentence and the convict has to undergo the sentence for 919 days from today.
The Court also ordered maximum permissible compensation be awarded to the victim upon approaching appropriate authority. It may be mentioned that Nongthongbam Barun, a tuition teacher was charged with sexually assaulting a minor girl who used to take tuition at his place.
Source: The Sangai Express
