Aanchal Agarwal –
Published on August 25, 2021, at 16:10 IST
The Court of the Special Judge (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences – POCSO), Nongpoh, sentenced the Former Chairman of the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), Julius Dorphang to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 15 lakh.
Julius Dorphang was charged for committing Rape on a 14-year-old girl in December 2016.
Confirming this, Kishore Ch Gautam, Dorphang’s Attorney, said that the Court announced the conviction on Tuesday.
The sentence was given by Special Judge Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), FS Sangma, in Ri-Bhoi District.
The verdict will be challenged by Dorphang’s Attorney in Meghalaya High Court.
The Court also sentenced Mamoni Parveen, Darisha Mary Kharbamon and Sandeep Biswa to life imprisonment in the same case along with a fine of Rs one lakh each.
Mamoni and Darisha were accused of finding the girl and also inducing the minor girl for illicit intercourse with another person, inducement for prostitution and abetment for any offence under POCSO.
Julius Dorphang was accused of raping the minor girl in 2017 while he was a sitting MLA. Following the allegations against him, he fled and was later caught at Guwahati ISBT.
Julius Dorphang was then arrested and booked under the POCSO Act and Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act.
Julius Dorphang was lodged at the Nongpoh district jail but was granted Bail on medical grounds from the Meghalaya High Court in 2020 by a single Bench.
The legislator was convicted again this year on August 13th and tried at the POSCO Court.
Also Read: What are the Essentials for proving Guilt in Rape cases in India?