Mizoram: Man sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for raping daughter

AIZAWL: A special court (Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act) in south Mizoram's Lunglei district has sentenced a man to undergo 21 years rigorous imprisonment for raping his daughter, an official said on Friday.

In the judgement pronounced by the special court judge Vanlalenmawia on Wednesday, Bawithawnghua was served to 21 years rigorous jail term and imposed him a fine of Rs. 12,000, the official said.

If the convict fails to pay his fine, he will undergo additional 24 days imprisonment, he said.

Earlier on January 22, the special court had convicted Bawithawnghua under section 6 of the POCSO act and under section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (offence of criminal intimidation) for repeatedly beating and raping her 12- years-old daughter.

Bawithawnghua was arrested in September 2022 following the First Information Report (FIR) submitted by Lai Women Association (LWA).

The special court has questioned 4 prosecution witnesses and 2 witnesses from the convict during the trial.

Evidence showed that the Bawithawnghua has beaten and raped her daughter several times and intimidated her not to disclose the crime.

Under section 6 of POCSO act, he will undergo 20 years rigorous imprisonment and will give Rs. 10,000 fine, while under section 506 of the IPC, he will undergo 1 year imprisonment and fine of Rs. 2,000.

The term of imprisonment will run consecutively, the judgement said.