PANCHTHAR, July 31: District Court of Panchthar has convicted a 70-year-old man accused of raping a minor within 15 days of the matter being brought to the court, setting an example for speedy justice for victims in such cases.
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Devi Rai, 70, of Langrupa-3 was accused of raping a 15-year-old girl, mentally and physically challenged. The victim's parents filed a case against him on June 10 at the District Police Office.
Indrahang Yongya, registrar of the District Court said, "The evidences had already been collected through the police investigation. On the basis of continuous hearing, the perpetrator was convicted in just 15 days." According to him, the case was resolved sooner because the accused himself accepted his misdeed. The convict has been handed down a prison term of 11 years and slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 as compensation for the victim.Sharmananda Sigdel, a legal practitioner, said, "As per the District Court Manual, there are certain types of cases, like abduction, domestic violence, robbery, rape, human trafficking and illegal trading in human organs, that are to be given continuous hearing for a speedy conclusion."
He further said that continuous hearing process thwarts attempts of buying witnesses and hiding or tampering with evidences.
Panchthar District Court has given fast verdicts in just a month in two such cases within this fiscal year 2014/15. Deuman Remtal of Nagin-1, accused of murder, was convicted for eight years, while Pradeep Chamling of Chyangthapu who was accused of robbery was given jail sentence within a month.
