Shillong: The Division Bench of the High Court of Meghalaya has upheld the lower court judgement awarding 25 years imprisonment with a fine of ₹ 15 lakh to former Mawhati legislator Julius Dorphang for the rape of a minor girl.
Dorphang, former chairman of the banned HNLC had challenged the order passed by the Special Judge Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), FS Sangma in Ri-Bhoi district which sentenced him to 25 years imprisonment.
“Accordingly, the term of imprisonment of 25 years as awarded by the trial court by indicating cogent reasons therefore, does not call for any interference,” the division bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said in its judgment.
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by Dorphang, who is also the ex-MLA of Mawhati constituency.
The High Court has directed the Meghalaya government to ensure the continued well-being of the survivor, at least till she reaches the age of 25.
“The fine, if paid, and a total amount of compensation not less than ₹20 lakh, should be provided by the Meghalaya government to the survivor by way of investments that would mature on a periodic basis for her to receive the same,” the high court ordered.
While the fine amount is ₹15, the court ordered that the state government will pay a further ₹5 lakh to the survivor by way of compensation. “If the appellant does not pay the fine and serves a further five years of rigorous imprisonment, the State will make over the equivalent amount of Rs 15 lakh to the survivor,” the high court ordered.
“The total amount of Rs 20 lakh must be invested in the name of the survivor within three months from date with the State taking adequate measures to ensure that the entire amount is not squandered in a hurry or the survivor is cheated of any part of it by any other person,” the Court added.
The judgment ordered that the State will also be responsible for taking care of all the medical needs of the survivor free of cost and befitting a Grade-II officer of the State for at least the next 20 years.
