Phek, September 15 (MExN): A Head Gaon Bura (GB) of Phuyoba village under Phek district has been convicted and sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment for life for “commission of rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault upon” a minor girl. The sentence entails ‘imprisonment for the remainder of natural life.’
The convict was also fined Rs 10,000 by Mezivolu T Therieh, Special Judge, POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, 2012, Phek, while pronouncing her judgment on September 15.
The convict, identified as Vesurayi Medeo (51 years), was the grandfather of the victim, by marriage, and also serving as Head Gaon Bura (GB) of Phuyoba since 2009, informed a press release from the Special Public Prosecutor, POCSO Act, Phek, Samuel Ritse.
He was convicted under Section 8, 10 and 11 of POCSO Act as well as section 457 of Indian Penal Code for “lurking house-trespass of the bedroom of victim and lurking house-breaking of the bedroom door of the victim.”
As per the judgement, at the time of the incident, the victim was aged about 10 years, and a First Information Report was first lodged at Chozuba Police Station by the victim’s father on January 9, 2022, and later transferred to Woman PS Phek.
The accused surrendered before the police on January 23.
The court’s record further noted that the incident of offences came to light on January 7, 2022 when the “accused broke open the door of the victim girl and the parents got up to the sound of it.” When he surrendered, he was charged of committing “rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault” on several occasions.
“From the time the bedroom of the victim was separated sometime in March 2021 till the time he was caught breaking the bedroom door of the victim...there is no missing link in the chain of circumstances to hold the accused guilty of the offence for committing rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault more than once and repeatedly upon her, in her bedroom at night beyond all reasonable doubt,” the judgment stated.
It further noted that the accused as a “father figure” to the victim should have been treated her with love and care, while as a Head GB, he was expected to work in “public interest and honour the trust reposed on him by doing justice to all.” However, he strayed from the path of virtue by committing the offences.
The judgment also directed the State Government to pay as compensation, Rs 5,00,000 for the rehabilitation of the victim, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the judgment.
The case was investigated by IO UBI Lucy Doungel, Officer-in-Charge, Women Police Station, Phek and Ritse led the prosecution.
