A Special Court for Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012 has sentenced a person to undergo 20 years 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, Phek, Samuel Ritse, stated that the accused, about 26 years of age while committing the crime, was cousin of the victim, who was a 12 years old girl.

Judge, Special Court for POCSO, Phek, Neiko Akami NJS pronounced the judgment and passed the conviction order upon hearing the accused Vebuto Khesoh on quantum of sentence.

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The court found that the accused on 5 January 2017 committed penetrative sexual assault to a minor girl where the accused after luring the minor, took her to jungle which was one kilometre away from her residence and committed penetrative assault upon the victim, the press release stated.

It mentioned that the “prosecution was able to prove guilt of the accused person beyond all reasonable doubt.” Accordingly, the accused was sentenced to undergo 20 years imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 1000 for the crime committed by him.

The court has also recommended a sum of Rs. 4 lakhs under Nagaland Victim Compensation Act, 2012 to the victim/victim’s family for rehabilitation. The amount after which will be release by the Government of Nagaland, Home Department through the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA).

The case was earlier investigated by UBI Lucy Doungel.