Sonai Man Sentenced To 10 Years Imprisonment in 2020 Rape Case

A court in Cachar has sentenced a 42-year-old man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a rape case dating back to July 19, 2020.

The verdict was delivered on Tuesday (March 31) by the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge No. 3, Nur Uddin Ahmed. The convict, identified as Bahar Uddin Barbhuiya, is a resident of New Ramnagar Part IV under Sonai Police Station.

According to case records, the survivor, who hails from the same locality, was alone at her residence on the day of the incident as her family members had gone elsewhere. At around 11:30 AM, Bahar Uddin allegedly entered the house and sexually assaulted her.

Following the incident, the survivor’s family lodged an FIR at Sonai Police Station. Based on the complaint, police registered a case and carried out an investigation, after which a chargesheet was filed, and the matter proceeded to trial.

After completion of the trial, the court found the accused guilty and pronounced the sentence.

The court awarded him 10 years of imprisonment under Section 376(1) of the Indian Penal Code, along with a fine of Rs. 10,000. In default of payment, he will have to undergo an additional three months of imprisonment.

He was also sentenced to six months of imprisonment under Section 448 of the IPC, along with a fine of Rs. 500. In case of non-payment, an additional one month of imprisonment has been prescribed.

Under Section 376(1) of the Indian Penal Code, a person convicted of rape is liable to a minimum punishment of 10 years’ imprisonment, which may extend to life imprisonment, along with a fine. Meanwhile, Section 448 of the IPC deals with house trespass and provides for punishment of up to one year of imprisonment, or a fine of up to Rs. 1,000, or both, for unlawfully entering someone’s property with intent to commit an offence.

The judgment brings closure to a case that has been under trial for nearly six years.