Kohima, December 12 (MExN): The Principal District & Sessions Court, Kohima on Friday sentenced a serving village head to 10 years in jail for raping an 82-year-old woman, observing the crime was committed in the “sanctity of her home” and that his official position aggravated the offence.
Principal District & Sessions Judge Mezivolu T Therieh convicted Yhunthonlo Kez (42), “a serving Gaonbora of Tesophenyu Village at the time of commission of offence”, under sections 376(1), 354A(1)(i) and 323 of the Indian Penal Code.
The court awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 for rape, one year rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 1,000 fine for sexual harassment, and six months simple imprisonment with a Rs 500 fine for voluntarily causing hurt. ‘The sentences are to run concurrently.’
Defaulting on the fines will lead to additional simple imprisonment of one year, three months, and one month for the respective charges.
Noting the victim's advanced age and trauma, the court directed the state government to provide her a compensation of Rs 2,00,000 under victim compensation laws. It also ordered that Rs 6,000 from the total fines recovered from the convict be paid to her.
“The offence of rape is serious and grave and undermines the bodily integrity and dignity of the victim. The victim... was completely helpless at the time of the incident which was committed in the sanctity of her home,” the court said.
It added that while the accused was a first-time offender, “the mitigating circumstances do not outweigh the aggravated factors.” The court specifically pointed out that Kez, “being a Gaonbura holds important customary and administrative position but has failed to adhere to the discipline expected of him.”
The investigation was conducted by UBSI Vikuobinuo of Women Police Station, Kohima, and the trial was led by Special Public Prosecutor L Sashimongla. Nine prosecution witnesses were examined.
Additional Public Prosecutor Abraham, in a statement, expressed appreciation for the coordination among all stakeholders and reaffirmed the commitment of the prosecution office to securing justice for women, especially vulnerable victims.
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