[Indu Chukhu]
ITANAGAR, 25 Sep: In a significant development, the District and Sessions Court conducted the sentencing hearing on Wednesday for Yumken Bagra, the prime accused in the sexual assault case involving 21 children, along with Marbom Ngomdir and Singtung Yorpen. On Tuesday, almost one-and-a-half years after the trial began, the POCSO Special Judge convicted Bagra for his heinous crimes at a government residential school in Karo, Shi-Yomi district, while two other accused were acquitted.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Tapak Uli urged for the death penalty for Bagra and life imprisonment for Marbom Ngomdir, a Hindi teacher involved in the case. Uli did not object to a minimum sentence for Singtung Yorpen, the former headmaster, due to his limited role in the incidents.
Pro bono advocate Nikita Danggen emphasized the severity and recurring nature of Bagra’s crimes, advocating for the death penalty. She argued that Bagra’s lack of remorse and the egregious nature of his actions warranted the harshest punishment to deter similar future crimes. Danggen highlighted that Bagra had a stable family life and should not have his past clean record mitigate the severity of his punishment.
On the other hand, the defense highlighted personal circumstances to argue for leniency. Bagra, during his statement, professed his innocence and pleaded for a minimal sentence citing his responsibilities toward his young children. Ngomdir and Yorpen also declared their innocence and pointed to their personal and health problems.
SPP Uli responded to queries about the 2019 POCSO Act amendment, pointing out that the technicality raised by the defense regarding the absence of specific dates in the victims’ statements did not undermine the gravity of the crimes committed between 2014 and 2020.
The final sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, with Judge Jaweplu Chai presiding over the court.
Original Story https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2024/09/26/special-pp-seeks-death-sentence-for-yumken-bagra/
Category : State News
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