Women organisation condemns former Noklak DC not appearing in court for trial in POCSO case

Dimapur, Aug. 22 (EMN): The Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam (KMH) has requested the concerned authorities to deliver justice to two minor victims of Noklak sexual misconduct case without further delay, while condemning the accused “nefarious act” of not appearing in court for trial.

Former Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Noklak, Reny Wilfred 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, before it was transferred to Special Crime Police Station, Kohima.

The special judge, POCSO had fixed May 24 for trial after the accused pleaded not guilty on March 25, but the accused failed to appear in court citing official engagement on account of a central minister’s visit, stated the apex women organisation in Noklak, adding that the trial was further postponed to June 21, “during which the accused had appealed to Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench to transfer the case outside Special Court (POCSO) Tuensang”.

The organisation said that the accused had been granted two anticipatory bails and no justice delivered to the two victims despite its appeal to the competent authority on several occasions.

While condemning the delay in justice delivery, the KMH lamented its appeals for initiating disciplinary proceedings going unheard.

“The accused, who was charged under POCSO, is freely and conveniently carrying out his official responsibility at the capital while the victims are earnestly waiting for justice since the date of filing an FIR,” read the KMH’s statement issued on Monday.

It may be mentioned that the KMH has been closely following the case and had 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.

[Also read: KMH against transfer of former Noklak DC’s trial to Kohima]