In a significant judgment passed by the Kokrajhar Court on 13th August, Injamamul Haque, a 30-year-old man, was sentenced to 15 years in prison along with hard labour. The verdict was delivered by Special Judge Jaydev Koch, who found Haque guilty of abducting and raping a minor girl. The disturbing crime took place on 17th January 2022, leaving the community in shock and distress.

Public prosecutor Manjit Ghosh unveiled that Haque cunningly lured the young girl from her home by pretending to take her to tuition. The minor, trusting his words, followed him, only to find herself in a horrifying situation. Instead of taking her to tuition, Haque abducted the innocent child and transported her to the national capital, Delhi. For four agonizing days, the young girl was held captive, during which she was repeatedly subjected to sexual assault. The trauma she endured was unimaginable, but her ordeal came to an end when authorities located and rescued her from her captor in Delhi. Following the rescue, a chargesheet was promptly filed against Haque, marking the beginning of the legal proceedings.

After a thorough trial, the court convicted Haque under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, which deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault. As a result, he was sentenced to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment, ensuring that he would serve a substantial period behind bars. In addition to this, the court also imposed an additional three months of imprisonment without the option of a fine, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

But the punishment did not end there. Under Section 368 of the Indian Penal Code, Haque was further sentenced to five years in prison for wrongful confinement, with an additional one month of imprisonment without the possibility of paying a penalty. Moreover, he was fined Rs 5,000, a small but symbolic amount, adding to the overall sentence.

The victim’s family members were pleased with the court’s decision. Kokrajhar locals are happy with the ruling as well and believe that the Assam police’s exhaustive and successful investigation would contribute to a decrease in crimes against women and children. The community hopes that this ruling will contribute to a safer environment, especially for the most vulnerable members of society.

This case stands as a stark reminder of the dangers that still lurk in society and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from such heinous acts.

Assam Sees Rise in Protests Amidst Growing Concern Over Sexual Violence

There are several such cases that emerge from Assam and other parts of the country. Only recently, in another case, a massive protest calling for harsh punishment for the gang rape and murder accused in the Dudhnoi case took place under the banner of the All-Bodo Students Union (ABSU) in the town centre of Kokrajhar. The public outcry was fueled by the brutal assault that occurred on 3rd May, where two underage tribal girls were horrifically raped by Dhan Ali Talukdar, Bahar Ali, and Rahman Ali in the Dudhnoi area of Goalpara district.

The incident unfolded as the girls were returning home from a Rongjali Baisagu cultural event, an occasion meant for celebration but turned tragic for these young victims. On 5th May, Hiranmoy Khakhlari, the brother of one of the victims, was brutally assaulted by Talukdar’s brother Shekabor Ali, sister Parmina Begum and Ramzan when he confronted them about the incident. Tragically, Khakhlari succumbed to his injuries in a Guwahati hospital, while the savage attack also left two others injured, adding to the tragedy and fueling public outrage.

In response to these heinous acts, the state government took swift action. The illegal houses of the accused were then demolished by the state government. The administration arrived in Tangbari village with bulldozers, supported by hundreds of police officers. The homes of accomplices Bahar Ali, Rahman Ali and one Ramzan Ali were also demolished by the officials along with the residence of the principal accused Talukdar, his elder brother Shekabor Ali and his sister Parmina Begum. This decisive action was seen as a strong message to those who perpetrate such crimes, reinforcing the state's commitment to justice.

The people of Assam, particularly in Kokrajhar, continue to demand justice and stricter laws to protect vulnerable communities, especially women and children, from such brutal crimes. The recent protests are a testament to the growing concern and the need for immediate and effective measures to curb the rising incidents of sexual violence in the region.