Kohima, April 20 (MExN): The accused in the August 22, 2015 rape case, Thanwalo Magh was found guilty of rape by the Principal District and Sessions court, Kohima, under Judge Y. Maongkaba Imchen.
The judgement, which was pronounced on April 11, 2017, convicted Magh and sentenced him to ten years imprisonment along with Rs. 10,000 plus Rs. 4000 as fine.
The 28 year old accused was convicted of two offences—rape (10 years imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine), and causing hurt to the victim (four years imprisonment and Rs.4000 fine). The years of imprisonment for the two offences will run concurrently, informed Kathu Rengma, Public Prosecutor.
This is the minimum punishment for this case. The court felt that the accused is still young and has a chance to reform, so he was given minimum punishment. In case the accused is not able to pay the fine, he will undergo another six months of prison. At present, the accused is imprisoned at the District Jail and will soon be deported to the Central jail.
On August 22, 2015, Magh was accused of raping a 61 year old widow who was working at a paddy field in Kohima. After the case was registered, the police took up the investigation and having found evidence, submitted the charge sheet on November 23, 2015.
The Public Prosecutor informed that no one had come forward to defend the accused, as a result of which the court had to arrange a defence counsel for the accused.
Meanwhile appreciating the cooperation of the public and witnesses in the case, the Public Prosecutor stated: “In criminal cases, unless the public, witnesses comes for help, the police alone cannot do anything. In this case, the witnesses also came forward and because of that they could present a good case. During the trial, unless the witnesses come forward, even if the accused person is accused of so many heinous crimes, we (the court) cannot do anything.” With the increase in sexual violence against women in recent years in Nagaland, Kathu appealed to the public to continue to cooperate with the courts and the police so that justice can be duly served.
