A man in East Jaintia Hills has been sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of aggravated penetrative sexual assault of a child.
This was informed by the EJH Superintendent of Police today in a press release.
The case dates back to 2023 when a complaint was registered at Khliehriat Women Police Station under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The case was registered and the investigation was entrusted to WP/Sub-Inspector L Siangshai. The charge sheet was filed on October 12, 2023.
Details of the case were not divulged by the SP but, at the trial’s completion, Special Judge (POCSO) B Khriam found Boti Surong guilty under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 25 years. This particular section of the law mandates a minimum sentence of 20 years, going up to life imprisonment or even a sentence of death in severe cases. Surong was also fined Rs 30,000. In default of payment, he will undergo a further two months of simple imprisonment.
The judge also ordered compensation of Rs 3 lakh to be paid to the victim.
In a separate case, two men – Ioobha Phawa and Indri Dkhar – were found guilty under Section 376(2)(g), which deals with rape during communal or sectarian violence. Again, the police did not spell out details of the case.
This case is much older, going back to 2003 when it was registered and investigated by ASI S Pariat. The case was charge sheeted in May 2004.
The District and Sessions Judge, B Khriam, found the pair guilty and sentenced them to 10 years’ imprisonment, which is the minimum term, and fined them Rs 5,000 each. The victim will also receive Rs 50,000 as compensation.
