Man gets 20-year RI for rape of minor

DIMAPUR, AUG 4 (NPN): A special POCSO court in Kohima has sentenced a 66-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old girl in Tseminyu district in 2019.
According to a press release issued by additional public prosecutor Abraham, the Court of Mezivolu T. Therieh, principal district and sessions judge-cum-special judge (POCSO), convicted Ngabu Kent on August 3, 2026 under Section 376(3) of the Indian Penal Code read with Sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The offense occurred at Phentejon BM village when the convict was 59 years old and the victim was 14.
On August 4, the court sentenced Kent to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000. In default of payment, he would undergo one year of simple imprisonment.
The court held that Section 376(3) IPC, which prescribed a higher punishment and was in force at the time of the offense, would apply in view of Section 42 of the POCSO Act.
While awarding the sentence, the court observed that the mitigating circumstances raised by the defence could not outweigh the gravity of the offense against a child below 16 years of age. It further noted that the victim had suffered severe physical, mental and emotional trauma, the effects of which were irreversible, and treated the child’s vulnerability as a significant aggravating factor.
The court also directed the state government to pay Rs. 1 lakh as victim compensation under Section 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure in accordance with the state’s Victim Compensation Scheme.
It also directed Kohima District Legal Services Authority to facilitate and monitor the disbursement.
The case was investigated by UBSI Vikuobinuo of the Women Police Station, Kohima. During the trial, the prosecution examined seven witnesses. The state was represented by special public prosecutor L. Sashimongla Jamir.
APP Kohima Abraham said the conviction was the result of coordinated efforts by the investigating agency, prosecution and witnesses, and appreciated all those who contributed to securing justice for the child victim.