Two back-to-back convictions by the special court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have once again brought to the fore the alarming prevalence of sexual offences against children in the state.
In the first case, Nabam Sanjay was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor girl, bringing to an end a four-year-long trial arising from an incident reported in the Itanagar Capital Region in 2022. Special Judge (POCSO), Yupia, Hirendra Kashyap, handed down the sentence after finding him guilty under Section 376AB of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, both of which deal with aggravated sexual offences against children below the age of 12 years. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 and ordered that the convict would undergo an additional two months of simple imprisonment in the event of default in payment.
In another case, the same court sentenced a 37-year-old man to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life for repeatedly raping his minor stepdaughter over a period of three years. Special Judge (POCSO) Hirendra Kashyap delivered the sentence to Tayo Pordung after convicting him under Section 376(3) of the Indian Penal Code, read with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The witnesses, including the minor victim, police personnel, medical teams, and special public prosecutor Kagam Bagra, deserve appreciation for their meticulous efforts in building these cases and ensuring that justice was delivered. Many such cases would not result in convictions without the coordinated efforts of investigators, prosecutors, medical professionals, and witnesses working together to present a comprehensive case before the court.
With multiple cases of child sexual abuse continuing to emerge from across the state, the facilities and resources available to agencies and individuals involved in the criminal justice process must be strengthened. Enhanced support, better infrastructure, and improved investigative capabilities are essential to ensure thorough investigations, successful prosecutions, and timely delivery of justice.