A file photo of the Meghalaya High Court. , Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy: https://meghalayahighcourt.nic.in
Meghalaya High Court has refused to interfere Trial court orders 25-year jail term for former MLA Julius Dorphang Accused of raping a minor girl.
A division bench of the high court headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee heard the matter on April 13 and directed the state government to pay compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the victim within three months.
The Division Bench of the High Court, while dismissing the appeal filed by the former MLA, said in its judgment, “The term of imprisonment of 25 years, as imposed by the trial court by indicating cogent reasons, does not call for any interference.”
“Having regard to the age of the convict, such term may be 15 years or 20 years or 30 years or any number of years in between. The discretion is exercised for the benefit of the convict by not imposing maximum sentence.” Judgment added.
Dorphang had challenged the order passed by FS Sangma, Special Judge for POCSO in Ri-Bhoi district, sentencing him to 25 years imprisonment with fine in August 2021.
The HC Bench further ordered that the State should take care of all the medical needs of the survivor as a Grade-II officer free of cost for the next 20 years, besides providing her with some belated education program for women so that To ensure that he moves forward. a normal and healthy life.
Dorphang, the founder and chairman of the banned Hniewtrep National Liberation Council, surrendered to the police in 2007. Later he contested and won the assembly election in 2013 from Mawahati assembly election in Ri-Bhoi district.
In 2017, he was Accused of raping a 14-year-old girl when he was an MLA. They were booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act.
He was lodged in the Nongpoh District Jail, but was granted bail by the Meghalaya High Court in 2020 on medical grounds. He was arrested again in August 2021 after being convicted by a POCSO court.