The Meghalaya High Court has upheld a 25-year prison term against former MLA of Mawhati and surrendered HNLC leader, Julius K Dorphang for rape of a minor and said that the society owes an apology to the young survivor for having failed one of its most precious and tender.
Dorphang was convicted by the Nongpoh POCSO court on August 24, 2021. His lawyer had moved the high court to set aside the conviction and sentence.
In its April 5 judgement, the high court said, “This brings to an end the ghastly saga of the rather heinous and dastardly conduct of a person who held high public office. Nothing brought out by the defence in course of the trial could detract from the survivor’s credible account of how she suffered.”
The division bench of the High Court comprising of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh said there is no any glaring infirmity in the judgment of conviction or the consequent sentence pronounced against Dorphang.
The court also said that the State will ensure the continued well-being of the survivor, at least till she reaches the age of 25 and that Rs 20 lakh should be provided to the survivor by way of investments that would mature on a periodic basis. “The State will pay a further Rs.5 lakh to the survivor by way of compensation, in addition to the sum of Rs.15 lakh that she receives from the fine,” it said.
“The total amount of Rs.20 lakh must be invested in the name of the survivor within three months from date with the State taking adequate measures to ensure that the entire amount is not squandered in a hurry or the survivor is cheated of any part of it by any other person,” the court added.
Dorphang will have to serve a further five year of rigorous imprisonment if he does not pay the fine.
Further the State will also be responsible for taking care of all the medical needs of the survivor free of cost and befitting a Grade-II officer of the State for at least the next 20 years.
In addition, if there is any special programme or working opportunity that is available or for which the survivor qualifies or if there is any late education programme for women where the survivor may be accommodated, the State should provide all assistance to the survivor to lead a remaining normal and healthy life.
