Tuensang, October 5 (MExN): The Tuensang District Court on Tuesday sentenced a man to 6 months in prison and a fine of Rs 3,000 after he was convicted for offences under Section 354 (A)(2) of the Indian Penal Code.
According to a press release from the Tuensang Assistant Public Prosecutor Mitchell Zhimomi, a case was registered against the accused, identified as Penglang, after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against him on February 1 for sexual harassment.
The Judge while sentencing the convict stated that it is duty of every prudent person to preserve and protect the rights of woman. “The cherished right of woman to live and walkabout without fear in a society cannot be snatched away by the fancies of a perverted man. Perverted men like the convict impose fear in the minds of women to roam about freely in a society,” the release stated. The court also noted that the ordeal of the victim was worsened by the “distasteful remark” made by the convict after commission of the offence.
“After considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case and keeping in mind the nature of the offence committed, the convict Penglang is hereby sentenced to 6 months imprisonment with a fine of Rs 3,000. In default of payment of fine, the convict shall undergo simple imprisonment of 1 month,” the release stated.
The court also lauded the courage of the victim to come out and report the crime. “In a highly patriarchal Naga society, when crimes against women are reported, the society goes into questioning the character of the woman,” it observed while adding that the victim’s courage to report the crime should be supported and commended. As such, the court stated that the fine collected from the convict would be awarded to the victim as compensation as per section 357 of the CrPC. “As and when the convict pays the fine, the bench assistant shall inform the victim accordingly and handover the whole fine amount to the victim as per procedure established by law,” it added.
Meanwhile, the press release also informed that 3 people were convicted on September 29 for commission of an offence punishable under section 379 read with section 34 of the IPC which relates to theft and commission of criminal act by several persons in furtherance of common intention.
All the convicts were involved in stealing of vehicle parts and accessories in and around Tuensang. The Judge while sentencing the convicts stated that, “the offence committed by the accused persons is highly condemnable by one and all. Because of their act, the vehicle owners cannot safely park their vehicles outside their homes and have a good night sleep,” the release stated.
After making the aforesaid observations, the learned Judge convicted the accused persons for nine months and also directed them to pay fine, it added.
