Nagaland Court Hands 20-Year Sentence to Tseminyu Rape Convict

Kohima: A Kohima special POCSO court sentenced 66-year-old Ngabu Kent to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old girl in 2019. Kent, who was 59 at the time of the assault, attacked the child at Phentejon BM village in Tseminyu district. He must pay a Rs 5,000 fine or serve an additional year in jail.

Principal District and Sessions Judge Mezivolu T Therieh convicted Kent on August 3 and handed down the sentence on August 4. The court applied Section 376(3) of the Indian Penal Code alongside the POCSO Act to ensure the maximum penalty. Judge Therieh declared that the mitigating pleas provided by the defense failed to offset the extreme nature of the crime. The ruling highlighted the lasting impact on the survivor.

The court stated that the victim had suffered "grave physical, mental, and emotional trauma, the consequences of which are irreversible" and that the vulnerability of the child victim constituted a significant aggravating circumstance. Officials also ordered the state government to issue Rs 1,00,000 in compensation. The Kohima District Legal Services Authority will manage these funds.

Investigator UBSI Vikuobinuo of the Women Police Station in Kohima led the case, which relied on the testimony of seven witnesses. Special Public Prosecutor L. Sashimongla Jamir argued the state’s position. Additional Public Prosecutor Abraham praised the combined efforts of the police and witnesses in closing the case.