TURA, July 1: Sending a powerful message against sexual predators that they cannot escape the long arm of the law, two rapists in Garo Hills, involved in sexual assaults on a minor girl and a woman have been given rigorous long jail terms with monetary fines by the POCSO Court and the District Sessions Court in separate rulings this week.
One of the accused, Rasthy A Sangma has been given the longest sentence of 20 years with a fine of Rs. 25,000/- by the Court of Special Judge for POCSO cases for raping a child in his house for a year in 2020.
He will have to undergo an additional six months of prison term if he fails to the court directed penalty.
The other accused Beatbeat Ch Marak who raped a woman in a jhum field has been given 7 years and a fine of Rs 10,000/- for the crime and a further three years of simple Imprisonment in two other cases.
Case File
On 14th March 2020, an information was received at Tura Women PS that one Shri Rasthy A. Sangma has been sexually assaulting a minor girl in his residence since last one year.
On receipt of information, a case was immediately registered vide Tura Women PS Case No. 16(03)2020 u/s 5(n)/6 POCSO Act, 2012 and investigation was entrusted to WPSI Salmay R. Marak.
The investigation was done expeditiously and the chargesheet was submitted on 12th May 2020 i.e., within 60 days as mandated under law.
After completion of trial, Hon’ble Court of Special Judge (POCSO), West Garo Hills, Tura found the accused person namely Shri Rasthy A. Sangma guilty and convicted him under Section 5(l)/(n)/6 of POCSO Act, 2012.
Subsequent to the judgment, the Hon’ble Court, on 27th June 2022, sentenced the accused person to undergo “Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) for Twenty (20) years with fine of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Thousand) only and in default of fine, he shall be sentenced for further simple imprisonment of six (6) months for committing the offence of aggravated penetrative sexual assault to minor victim girl”.
It is to be further informed that the accused person is allegedly involved in another case of similar nature registered vide Tura Women PS Case No. 44(10)2016 u/s 376 IPC r/w 6/10 POCSO Act, 2012 which has been charge sheeted on 21st November 2021 and is presently under trial.
In another case, on 4th October 2016, an information was received at Tura Women police station that one Shri Beatbeat Ch. Marak forcibly raped one woman when she went to collect vegetables for her jhum cultivation and assaulted her.
The accused person also threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the matter to anyone.
On receipt of information, a case was immediately registered vide Tura Women PS Case No. 43(10)2016 u/s 323/376/506 IPC and investigation was entrusted to WPSI Renu D. Momin.
The investigation was done meticulously and the chargesheet was submitted on 31st July 2017.
After completion of trial, the Hon’ble Court of District & Sessions Judge, West Garo Hills, Tura found the accused person namely Shri Beatbeat Ch. Marak guilty and convicted him under Section 323/376(1)/506 Part II IPC.
Subsequent to the judgment, the Hon’ble Court, on 31st May 2022, sentenced the accused person to undergo “Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) for Seven (7) years with fine of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) only for the offence under Section 376(1) IPC.
For the offence under Section 506 Part II IPC and 323 IPC, the Hon’ble Court sentenced him for Simple Imprisonment for Two (2) years and Simple Imprisonment for One (1) year respectively.”
The above-mentioned convictions are the result of meticulous investigation done by the concerned Investigating Officers and other Police personnel, the Public Prosecutors who led the prosecution of the case as well as good Samaritans who came forward to assist the Police team during investigation process. West Garo Hills Police is thankful to all those who assisted us during these two investigations as well subsequent investigations. We expect the same kind of support and assistance from all the residents in future as well. Help us to help you!” Said West Garo Hills SP V S Rathore.
