Phek: POCSO court sentences one to 20 years rigorous imprisonment

June 8, 2023 79 Views No Comment

Morung Express news
Kohima | June 8

A Special Court for Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012, today sentenced a person to undergo 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in jail under Section 376A(2)(i) IPC, read with Section 4 POCSO Act, 2012, for committing rape on a minor in 2017.

A press release issued by Public Prosecutor Samuel Ritse of Phek revealed that the accused was the cousin of the victim, a 12-year-old girl at the time of the crime.

Judge, Special Court for POCSO Act, Phek, Neiko Akami NJS informed The Morung Express that the accused, a male named Vebuto Khesoh, was approximately 26 years old when he committed the crime.

Akami stated that he pronounced the judgment and passed the conviction order after hearing the accused, Khesoh, on the quantum of sentence on June 7.

According to the press release, during the trial, the court found that the accused had committed penetrative sexual assault on the minor girl on January 5, 2017. He committed the act by luring the minor and taking her to a jungle located one kilometre away from her residence.

“The prosecution was able to prove the guilt of the accused person beyond all reasonable doubt,” stated the press release.
Consequently, the accused was sentenced to undergo 20 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1000 for the crime committed by him.

Meanwhile, regarding the delay in delivering justice for a crime committed in 2017, the judge opined that the matter may have been set aside as the first investigating officer (IO) had passed away during the intervening period, and the next IO had to take over. The case was investigated by UBI Lucy Doungel.

Akami further informed that a sum of Rs 4 lakh has been recommended under the Nagaland Victim Compensation Act, 2012, for the victim. The amount will be released by the Government of Nagaland, Home Department, through the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA).

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