The special POCSO court in Papum Pare district has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Tayo Pordung, to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life for repeatedly raping his minor stepdaughter over a period of three years.
Special Judge (POCSO) Dr Hirendra Kashyap convicted Pordung under Section 376(3) of the IPC, read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, and imposed a fine of ₹50,000. In default of payment, he will serve an additional month of simple imprisonment.
According to the prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Kagam Bagra, the victim was around 14 years old when the case surfaced in June 2024. Her mother lodged a complaint at the women police station in Itanagar after the girl revealed that her stepfather had been sexually assaulting her since she was about 11 years old.
The complaint stated that the accused repeatedly subjected the child to penetrative sexual assault and threatened to kill her and other family members if she disclosed the abuse.
During the trial, four witnesses were examined, including the victim, her mother, the medical officer, and the investigating officer. The court held that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused, exploiting his position as stepfather, committed aggravated penetrative sexual assault on the child.
Rejecting the plea for leniency, the judge observed that the offence was heinous, caused grave harm to the victim, and that the convict showed no remorse. He was also found guilty under Section 506 IPC (criminal intimidation) and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act (cruelty to a child).
The court directed that the victim be considered for compensation under the Arunachal Pradesh Victim Compensation Scheme and informed the convict of his right to appeal before the Gauhati High Court.
