Nagaland: Trial of former Noklak DC postponed to June

Our Correspondent
Tuensang, May 25 (EMN): The POCSO court has postponed the trial of former Noklak Deputy Commissioner Reny Wilfred in sexual misconduct case to June 21 after the accused failed to appear in court on Tuesday.

The former DC of Noklak was charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on allegations of sexual misconduct against two minor girls at Noklak following a formal complaint filed on July 27, 2021 at Noklak police station.

The special judge, POCSO had earlier fixed May 24 for trial after the accused pleaded not guilty on March 25, but the accused failed to appear in court for the trial on the said date, citing official engagement on account of a central minister’s visit.

However, sources claimed there was no visit of any central ministers to the state on the said date, as claimed by the accused.

It was also informed that the prosecutor was not present at the time of trial as she was deputed for an in-service training at North East Police Academy, Shillong. However, the two victims were present in the court.

A reliable source told Eastern Mirror that the special judge (POCSO) had directed the accused to be present mandatorily at the next hearing and that an arrest warrant would be issued in the event of failure to do so.

Meanwhile, the Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam (KMH) lamented over the postponement of trial.

“We have been waiting for justice to prevail for a long time now. Justice delayed is justice denied,” KMH told this newspaper. ‘We, along with the victims had drafted a letter recently addressed to the Commissioner Secretary at Kohima pleading that disciplinary actions be taken against the accused but there has been no response till date,’ it added.

The apex women organisation in Noklak headquarters had earlier staged protests demanding justice for the two minor girls, who were working at the former DC’s official residence as domestic helpers before they were allegedly molested.