Nagaland: Man gets 20-year jail for sexual assault on minor

DIMAPUR — The special judge (POCSO), Phek, in an order dated Feb. 9, sentenced one Vejoyi Rhakho to undergo 20 years imprisonment for committing penetrative sexual assault on a minor girl (12 years) on August 13, 2023.

The Public Prosecutor, Phek, in a press release, informed that the accused was charged under 4 (2) of POCSO Act 2012 as amended in the year 2019, which was introduced to give more stringent punishment including the death penalty for committing sexual crime on children with a view to deter the perpetrators and prevent such crime against children.

It stated that the prosecution was able to proof the guilt beyond all reasonable doubt, based on the statement of the prosecution witnesses and supported by the medical report.

The minor victim having suffered trauma and physical injury and dishonour to her dignity perpetuated by the accused, the special court also recommended an amount of INR one lakh to be paid to the victim under victim compensation scheme 2012, the release added.