A Special POCSO Court in Ambassa has sentenced Bijay Ghosh to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment in a 2016 minor rape case. The court also imposed a Rs 10,000 fine and ordered Rs 5 lakh compensation for the survivor.
After nearly a decade, a Special POCSO Court in Ambassa has delivered its verdict in a long-pending minor rape case dating back to 2016, sentencing the principal accused, Bijay Ghosh, to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Special Judge Dhiman Debbarma convicted Ghosh under Section 376(1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after examining the evidence presented during the trial. Along with the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. The court further ordered that Ghosh would undergo an additional six months of imprisonment in default of payment of the fine.
The court also directed that the survivor be awarded compensation of Rs 5 lakh, providing financial relief as part of the judicial proceedings.
The case originated on April 10, 2016, when a complaint was lodged at Manu Police Station alleging that a 15-year-old girl had been raped by four individuals. The accused named in the complaint were Vijay Ghosh, Rohit Chakma, Mangal Debbarma and Shubham Chakma.
Following the complaint, police registered Manu Police Station Case No. 2016 MNU 011. The investigation was entrusted to then Female Sub-Inspector Seema Das Chowdhury. After completing the investigation, police submitted a charge sheet before the Special Judge’s Court at Ambassa on May 30, 2017.
The matter was subsequently registered as Special POCSO 2/2025 for trial under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act-related proceedings.
During the prolonged trial, the court examined 23 witnesses, including their cross-examinations. The court considered the evidence and submissions before reaching its conclusion and convicting Ghosh.
According to police, the considerable delay in delivering the verdict was linked to Ghosh remaining absconding for a prolonged period. His absence contributed to the extended judicial process in the case, which began with the complaint in 2016.
The proceedings against the other accused did not result in convictions. Co-accused Rohit Chakma and Shubham Chakma were acquitted earlier after the court found insufficient evidence against them. The case involving Mangal Debbarma also did not result in a conviction.
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The sentencing of Ghosh marks a significant development in the nearly decade-old case and brings the trial against the principal accused to a conclusion. The court’s order combines a substantial custodial sentence with monetary compensation for the survivor.
