Convict sentenced to 15 years RI under POCSO Act

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 11 : A 70 year old convict was sentenced to 15 years rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor victim by Special Judge, POCSO Imphal West Maibam Manojkumar today.
The convict was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 10 thousand.
The case dates back to 2015 when the convict sexually assaulted the minor on August 22 inside a shop.
On October 7 the same Court had convicted him under section 6 of POCSO Act and fixed today for hearing.
The convict identified as Konjengbam Nipamacha (70) of Heinoukhongnembi was produced before the Court for the sentence hearing today.
Special PP M Bishambhor submitted that as Konjengbam Nipamacha has been convicted under section 6 of POCSO Act he should be awarded life imprisonment with fine.
The defense counsel Sampion Hungyo argued that the convict is an aged man and also a patient of Asthma depending on nebulizer, cannot move without the help of another person and there is no criminal record against the convict and prayed for minimum sentence.
Court perused all the material on record and sentenced Konjengbam Nipamacha to rigorous imprisonment of 15 years and fine Rs 10,000 under section 6 of POCSO Act and in default of payment of fine the convict has to undergo another three months simple imprisonment.
Court also recommended compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the minor victim under the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 as per the section 33(8) of POCSO Act as well as under section 357 A of Criminal Procedure code.