A fast-track court in Manipur has sentenced Thounaojam Tejkumar Singh, a 54-year-old man from Imphal East, to 20 years in prison for the sexual assault of a four-year-old girl in 2017. The court found him guilty under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, which addresses aggravated penetrative sexual assault. In addition to his prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh.
Judge W. Tonen Meitei, who delivered the ruling, highlighted the severe impact of such crimes. He stated, “Rape and sexual assault destroy not only the physical being of a child but her spirit, innocence, and dignity. The judiciary must stand as the guardian of that innocence.” The judge characterized the crime as “a crime against humanity,” emphasizing that “a child of four years was violated by one who was supposed to protect her.”
The court rejected the defense’s claims that Singh was falsely accused due to family disputes, asserting that “minor procedural lapses cannot erase the powerful truth of a child’s voice.” The assault took place on the evening of October 8, 2017, when Singh lured the girl away during a family gathering.
The abuse was uncovered when the child returned home crying and reported her pain. Medical examinations conducted at JNIMS and RIMS hospitals confirmed injuries consistent with sexual assault. Following a formal complaint from the girl’s father, Singh was arrested the next day by the Women Police Station in Imphal East.
During the trial, the prosecution presented testimony from 11 witnesses, including the victim, who bravely identified Singh as her assailant at the age of seven. Her testimony remained unchallenged, as the defense did not cross-examine her.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur/manipur-man-gets-20-year-imprisonment-for-raping-4-year-old-girl.html
Category: Manipur,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-11-01 00:07:00
